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First recollections
I don't think Richard would mind if I relate this story ...
The Helga series first came to light when I was studying at the American Academy of Art in Chicago. I was concurrently painting with Richard Schmid at the Palette and Chisel. I brought in the newly published book and after looking through it, he said, with a look in his eye, "He single-handedly held back the tide of the 20th Century modernism with one painting ... Christina's World, and gave realism a foothold."
I have never seen that painting without having that story in my head. I often wonder if Andrew Wyeth realized as he was working on it how much this painting would mean to so many. Of course not, but I still wonder because it seems so obvious to us now as we look at it ... this one is special!
Mourning the loss.
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