Andrew Wyeth: Autobiography

The most comprehensive edition of the artist's work ever published reproduces 138 paintings, including Wyeth's most recognized works, along with his comments about each one and reflections on his life. National ad/promo. BOMC selection.

The most popular and the most accomplished twentieth-century American realist painter after Edward Hopper serves up as his autobiography not a prose narrative but an exhibition of his work that spans his entire career, from an oil of a man plowing his fields that was painted when the artist was 16 (in 1933) to a 1993 watercolor of a whale's rib lying on a Maine island shore. One hundred thirty-seven artworks in all appear, and for each one, Wyeth offers a note about its subject, the circumstances that spurred him to paint or draw it, and the feelings, values, and experiences he associates with it. The notes vary greatly in length; some fill most of a page, while others are only a sentence or two. They are frank, concrete, and personal, and Wyeth admirers may find them almost as worthwhile as the splendid gallery of his work that they accompany. Ray Olson

Here, the legendary American realist painter looks back at six decades of his work. This comprehensive retrospective that originated in Japan and is now on view in Kansas City, Missouri, includes both famous and recent paintings. An artistic independent, Wyeth pictures a different view of reality than does, say, Norman Rockwell. Thomas Hoving introduces the book and observes that Wyeth "has always painted for himself." Thus, Wyeth's comments on the origins and events of each painting are of particular interest. The quality of the printing is very good, avoiding the pitfalls of too much high contrast and loss of shadow detail in the pictures. But best of all are the stories Wyeth tells. Sure to appeal to both general and informed readers, this is recommended for the autobiography and art collections of public and academic libraries.?Andy Murphy, Charleston P.L., S.C.
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