A watercolor by Wyeth; note the moody coloring and the intensity of the light.
Andrew Wyeth, a realist American painter from 1917-2009, became well known for his moody and atmospheric watercolors and tempera paintings of his rural surroundings in Pennsylvania and Maine. Wyeth came from a family of artists, and his works have become widely collected in America and beyond. Perhaps his most famous piece, "Christina's World," resides in the MoMA in New York City. His work is highly valued because of the intensity and mystery of his subject matter and the approachability of his soft yet expressive paint handling.
Instructions
1. Search for Andrew Wyeth's images online. If you would like to see his images easily online, then go to the official Andrew Wyeth website, maintained by the Wyeth family, in order to view select watercolors and tempera paintings. The link for this website is included at the bottom of this article.
2. Travel to Chadd's Ford, Pennsylvania. This small hamlet is home to the Brandywine River Museum, one of the best collections of Andrew Wyeth and Wyeth family art. Here you can see watercolor, tempera and pencil pieces by the artist, mostly depicting his beloved countryside and home in Pennsylvania. Similarly, you can visit the Kuerner Farm, Andrew Wyeth's childhood haunt, where he made many drawings and pieces related to the idyllic farm and the Kuerner family who inhabited it.
3. Visit museums across the United States. Andrew Wyeth's work has become increasingly popular due to the emotional, symbolic and silent power of his pieces. In particular, look for "Christina's World" at the MoMA in New York. Look for pieces also in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, as well as the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. Many of Andrew Wyeth's paintings can also be found near his former summer home in the Farnsworth Art Museum in Maine.
4. Be aware of gallery shows. While primarily commercially based, some large art galleries in cities like New York, Chicago, and Washington D.C. will occasionally host shows of Wyeth's work in order to increase the profile of the gallery as well as to increase the value of Wyeth works. These gallery shows are free and can be a good way to see rare works that may typically be hidden from the public in private collections. Check your local newspaper or art magazines to see what's showing at galleries.
