Andrew Wyeth dies at 91

[Marvin Mattelson]

Andrew Wyeth died early today.

He certainly had an outstanding career and left behind an extraordinary cache of work. In my opinion he was THE avant-garde artist of the 20th Century, bucking the far more accepted and popular trends of conceptual and abstract work, and in the meantime, became the most well known artist in America.

I remember going to the Museum of Modern Art in the 1980s when they had just opened their newly expanded galleries. There was one massive gallery after another each with few huge abstracts occasionally dotting the walls, and at most, one or two people musing their worth in each gallery.

In a much smaller gallery, dedicated to regional American realism, hung Wyeth's "Christina's World" surrounded by a horde of people squished together scrutinizing and discussing the painting. I remember thinking then that despite all the best efforts of the Art establishment, realism would never die.

However, my most significant experience with Wyeth came several years earlier, in the late 1970s. There was a retrospective of his work at the Met. At that time I had never felt the confidence to try painting, based on the horrible lack of training I had in art school, but I certainly longed to. I can't say that the seeing of his paintings inspired me to paint, because I had been inspired for years. But what it did for me was clue me in on the fact: the main difference between the two of us, talent aside ;-), was his willingness to sit there and work at it until he was satisfied and unlike me (who was waiting for the heavenly ray of inspiration to shine down and bestow true knowledge) he took responsibility and did the work. In that sense he was my greatest teacher, because the next day I went out and bought paint and thus began my journey.

[Mary Ann Archibald]

Marvin, what a great story. He is truly an amazing inspiration to so many.
He will be missed.

[Amanda Grosjean]

Originally Posted by Marvin Mattelson

.......... his willingness to sit there and work at it until he was satisfied and unlike me (who was waiting for the heavenly ray of inspiration to shine down and bestow true knowledge) he took responsibility and did the work. In that sense he was my greatest teacher, because the next day I went out and bought paint and thus began my journey.

Nicely said, Marvin, I identify with that statement a great deal. I know many who waited for that heavenly ray and it never came. I am a great fan of Wyeth's. I was particularly inspired by the Helga series and have spent many hours flipping through that book. What inspired me more than his flawless sketches and watercolors were the ones that had mistakes...missteps in value or an exaggeration of a feature. He moved on from each one to create something beautiful. It gives me strength to keep going and always keeps me excited to move onto the next thing, knowing I'll figure it out and get it right next time. It makes me happy to think about what I will be creating when I am 91.

[Alexandra Tyng]

Marvin, thanks for telling that story. I remember when I first learned the actual meaning of the expression avant garde. At the time (mid-70s) artists were using it as a synonym for abstract art, experiential art, conceptual, non-representational art--anything but realism. I turned to the person who defined it for me and said in amazement, "But REALISM is the real avant garde!" She looked at me like I was crazy.

We live near the Brandywine Valley and we spend time in Maine in the summer, so I am very familiar with Andrew Wyeth's two worlds. This summer I went to Monhegan with five other artists to paint for a week. Monhegan is about 9 miles out to sea, and the ferry pssses near the Wyeths' island and family compound on its route. Usually they avoid that particular channel alongside his island because it is shallower, but at hgh tide sometimes the Ferry captain will go right by. We were lucky: on our way back to the mainland he took us that way. I felt like a silly tourist as I snapped this photo, but here is my parting glimpse of Andrew Wyeth.

[Debra Rexroat]

For many of us Wyeth, and "Christina's World," was one of the first artists and paintings we discussed as school children. He left us an amazing body of work from which to gain encouragement and example. R.I.P. and thank you, Andrew Wyeth.

[Julie Deane]

Originally Posted by Marvin Mattelson

his willingness to sit there and work at it until he was satisfied.

In an old book of David Friend's on composition, he highlighted one of Wyeth's paintings and showed a series of preliminary sketches that Wyeth did to think through his composition. It was the first time I ever realized that a good painting requires much preparation and thought.
The High Museum show of his work also had examples of the many sketches and color studies he would do before he started the final piece.

He was a marvelous painter and an excellent teacher through example.

[Allan Rahbek]

Andrew Wyeth was unknown to me untill I bought his book "The Helga Pictures" some 20 years ago. The book was a real eye opener to me, seeing that realism was taken serious by such an accomplished painter.

I made up my mind that it was all right to stick to what I felt was interesting to me, no matter the "ism of the week".

[Clayton J. Beck III]

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.

[Tom Edgerton]

Beautiful statement, Marvin...

"I've tried never to be easily satisfied, and I've been painting like fury now for forty years...I have a feeling. You paint about as far as your emotions go, and that's about it."
--Andrew Wyeth

[Linda Brandon]

This is a wonderful thread - thanks, everybody.