Andrew Wyeth 1917-2009

I found out this morning that the artist,

Andrew Wyeth had died at the age of 91.

I didn't want to post the painting of the

enigmatic figure of "Christina's World".

I think that image is going to be pervasive

for quite a while, it being the one that

immediately comes to mind when Wyeth is

mentioned.

Instead I chose this painting of a

young man striding across another hill,

perhaps less mysterious, on an ordinary day.

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I greatly admired Andrew Wyeth. He was sometimes

referred to as the "Painter of the People".

This is not very good in some circles. Because

the "people" generally like art that is sentimental,

illustrative. I will let the critics who do not appreciate

his work, speak for themselves.

One can readily see that Wyeth's work is a contrast to

the Abstractions of the middle of the 20th Century.

But looking closely at many of the paintings, in addition

to strong currents of emotion, symbolism, and clear beauty,

there is an underlying abstraction at play. Contrasts and

shadows become stark angles, enhancing and sometimes

obscuring the character, mood and spirituality, always part

of the mystery of Wyeth's paintings.

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The isolation, the existential moment is similar to the

introversion that I am so drawn to in the work of

Edward Hopper, another artist who portrays the

everyday moment, the resignation of "ordinary" people.

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I write of Andrew Wyeth with gratitude for his

artistry.