By Design

The first in-depth story of the indomitable collaborator, muse, and wife of Andrew Wyeth, and of her lasting creative impact on Maine and American art.

This revelatory book explores the contributions of Betsy James Wyeth (1921–2020), a multitalented maker of designed environments and interior spaces, preservationist, and creative partner to the beloved American artist Andrew Wyeth. Betsy herself created the world around her through imagery, decorative arts objects, documents, and paintings by Andrew and others, which were largely shaped by Betsy and the worlds she created.  

The volume features stunning photography of key sites such as Brinton’s Mill and environments that define her creative vision. Scholars discuss her process and significant role in projects like the Shore House at Broad Cove Farm, the site of the formation of Betsy’s refined and minimalist design sensibility. Personal reflections from her family shed light on Betsy’s life and influence, with additional contributions that explore her publishing endeavors and support for the maritime economy. Through a wide range of fine and decorative art objects from the remarkable and largely unexhibited holdings of the Wyeth Foundation for American Art that pertain to Betsy’s legacy, select loans, new photography, this book allows visitors to understand and explore her designed environments as never before.

William L. Coleman, PhD, is Wyeth Foundation Curator of the Andrew and Betsy Wyeth Collection and director of the Andrew & Betsy Wyeth Study Center. Kendall DeBoer is assistant curator of modern and contemporary art at Colby College Museum of Art. David Michaelis is best-selling author of Eleanor, Schulz and Peanuts, and N. C. Wyeth. Francesca Soriano, PhD, is associate curator of American art at Farnsworth Art Museum. Jamie Wyeth is a painter and the son of Andrew and Betsy Wyeth.