Sara’s review of Andrew Wyeth: A Secret Life – The Definitive Biography Revealing the Turbulent Obsession Behind an Iconic American Realist Painter > Likes and Comments
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I always assumed there was a sexual element, Julie, but after reading this bio, I think you are right in that this betrayal was not of that nature but just as emotionally difficult to absorb. I could see why Wyeth wanted something of his own, protected from everyone else, that fed his art; but I could also see how it would hurt to think that such an important aspect of his life was kept from his wife for such a long period of time. You'd have to be asking yourself, "Did I ever really know him?" Do we really know anyone?
This one was fun to read and both the main players (Wyeth and Betsy) were alive when it was published and it was done with their participation and approval. Interesting stuff. Makes me realize what a bland life I have lived.😊
What an intriguing review. I love the paintings you chose, and the anecdote! How fun to have more added to your appreciation of these now.
I appreciate his famous paintings, but some of his "lesser" ones are my favorites. I saw some of his work (I think at the Corcoran, but couldn't swear to that) back in the 90's maybe (couldn't swear to that either). I found his old buildings and weathered faces just mesmerizing. He did not paint beautiful people and yet they became beautiful as you looked at them because they were so real. They had obviously "lived" lives. His Helga paintings are not my favorites, but look at this one of Christina Olson.
So cool, Sara! Put some more on here, please!
(By the way, I know a person who stockpiled dark chocolate for years, kept it in a secret stash and would never let on that it existed. Would never eat it in front of others or express an interest in it. It was like it was extra special because it was a secret. Compared to painting the same woman, over and over again, it seems rather harmless, doesn't it?! Ha!)
I knew a woman once who baked a lot. When she did she never ate anything she baked. What she did was bake two of everything and stash one in the bottom of a laundry basket, then when she was alone she would eat the entire 2nd thing she had baked (read cake, pie, batch of cookies). She told us this story at a weight watchers meeting back in the 1980s. I wondered many times how she kept that secret!
Here's the woman he painted over the 15 years:
Of course, this is not the picture that stirred the controversy--most of them were nudes.
Sensational review! Had to laugh at the trap door meaning story:) I live in Wyeth country so consequently see his art prints and Jaime's as well everywhere I go. This book sounds so cool, a peek into greatness
I would love to read this. Great review, Sara! I'm a big Wyeth fan. My ancestors lived in the area Warren/Cushing/etc Maine. I bought a print of his, Around The Corner at the Farnesworth on a trip to Maine in the 1990s. I saved my pennies and had it properly framed and it's been on the wall of my living room all these years. I love seeing it every day.
My introduction to Wyeth was Christina Baker Kline's novel A Piece of the World. I then on to read a little bit about him and spent some time with his painting Christina's World at the MoMA.
This one sounds like a gem. Perhaps I'll be motivated to read it in the future and pair the reading with a visit to the Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art. Thank you for your lovely review.
Lori wrote: "Sensational review! Had to laugh at the trap door meaning story:) I live in Wyeth country so consequently see his art prints and Jaime's as well everywhere I go. This book sounds so cool, a peek in..."
I bet you would enjoy this book, Lori. I have had a kind of fascination with this family after seeing a documentary on N.C. For some reason I never forgot it or the strange family dynamic that seemed to exist for these remarkably talented people. I don't know if I have ever seen a family where there were so many top-grade painters. I often wondered if Nathaniel Wyeth resented not being a painter or was grateful that he wasn't.
Dianne wrote: "I would love to read this. Great review, Sara! I'm a big Wyeth fan. My ancestors lived in the area Warren/Cushing/etc Maine. I bought a print of his, Around The Corner at the Farnesworth on a trip ..."
How lovely, Dianne. It must be amazing to have a famous painter conjuring up scenes from your own doorstep! I never think of Maine without thinking of his work.
Lisa wrote: "My introduction to Wyeth was Christina Baker Kline's novel A Piece of the World. I then on to read a little bit about him and spent some time with his painting Christina's World at the MoMA.
This..."
I loved A Piece of the World, Lisa. It is very clear from this book that he had a very unique relationship with all of his repeat models. In fact, I think they were such a part of the fabric of his life that the paintings were really just reflections of his intimate knowledge of the people and places. I think most painters could (and would) paint any number of places without needing to be a part of them, but Wyeth almost needed to be infused with a place to paint it.
It would certainly be a lovely thing to be able to go to the museum and see this work first hand after having read the book.
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I always assumed there was a sexual element, Julie, but after reading this bio, I think you are right in that this betrayal was not of that nature but just as emotionally difficult to absorb. I could see why Wyeth wanted something of his own, protected from everyone else, that fed his art; but I could also see how it would hurt to think that such an important aspect of his life was kept from his wife for such a long period of time. You'd have to be asking yourself, "Did I ever really know him?" Do we really know anyone?This one was fun to read and both the main players (Wyeth and Betsy) were alive when it was published and it was done with their participation and approval. Interesting stuff. Makes me realize what a bland life I have lived.😊
What an intriguing review. I love the paintings you chose, and the anecdote! How fun to have more added to your appreciation of these now.
I appreciate his famous paintings, but some of his "lesser" ones are my favorites. I saw some of his work (I think at the Corcoran, but couldn't swear to that) back in the 90's maybe (couldn't swear to that either). I found his old buildings and weathered faces just mesmerizing. He did not paint beautiful people and yet they became beautiful as you looked at them because they were so real. They had obviously "lived" lives. His Helga paintings are not my favorites, but look at this one of Christina Olson.
So cool, Sara! Put some more on here, please!(By the way, I know a person who stockpiled dark chocolate for years, kept it in a secret stash and would never let on that it existed. Would never eat it in front of others or express an interest in it. It was like it was extra special because it was a secret. Compared to painting the same woman, over and over again, it seems rather harmless, doesn't it?! Ha!)
I knew a woman once who baked a lot. When she did she never ate anything she baked. What she did was bake two of everything and stash one in the bottom of a laundry basket, then when she was alone she would eat the entire 2nd thing she had baked (read cake, pie, batch of cookies). She told us this story at a weight watchers meeting back in the 1980s. I wondered many times how she kept that secret!Here's the woman he painted over the 15 years:
Of course, this is not the picture that stirred the controversy--most of them were nudes.
Sensational review! Had to laugh at the trap door meaning story:) I live in Wyeth country so consequently see his art prints and Jaime's as well everywhere I go. This book sounds so cool, a peek into greatness
I would love to read this. Great review, Sara! I'm a big Wyeth fan. My ancestors lived in the area Warren/Cushing/etc Maine. I bought a print of his, Around The Corner at the Farnesworth on a trip to Maine in the 1990s. I saved my pennies and had it properly framed and it's been on the wall of my living room all these years. I love seeing it every day.
My introduction to Wyeth was Christina Baker Kline's novel A Piece of the World. I then on to read a little bit about him and spent some time with his painting Christina's World at the MoMA. This one sounds like a gem. Perhaps I'll be motivated to read it in the future and pair the reading with a visit to the Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art. Thank you for your lovely review.
Lori wrote: "Sensational review! Had to laugh at the trap door meaning story:) I live in Wyeth country so consequently see his art prints and Jaime's as well everywhere I go. This book sounds so cool, a peek in..."I bet you would enjoy this book, Lori. I have had a kind of fascination with this family after seeing a documentary on N.C. For some reason I never forgot it or the strange family dynamic that seemed to exist for these remarkably talented people. I don't know if I have ever seen a family where there were so many top-grade painters. I often wondered if Nathaniel Wyeth resented not being a painter or was grateful that he wasn't.
Dianne wrote: "I would love to read this. Great review, Sara! I'm a big Wyeth fan. My ancestors lived in the area Warren/Cushing/etc Maine. I bought a print of his, Around The Corner at the Farnesworth on a trip ..."How lovely, Dianne. It must be amazing to have a famous painter conjuring up scenes from your own doorstep! I never think of Maine without thinking of his work.
Lisa wrote: "My introduction to Wyeth was Christina Baker Kline's novel A Piece of the World. I then on to read a little bit about him and spent some time with his painting Christina's World at the MoMA. This..."
I loved A Piece of the World, Lisa. It is very clear from this book that he had a very unique relationship with all of his repeat models. In fact, I think they were such a part of the fabric of his life that the paintings were really just reflections of his intimate knowledge of the people and places. I think most painters could (and would) paint any number of places without needing to be a part of them, but Wyeth almost needed to be infused with a place to paint it.
It would certainly be a lovely thing to be able to go to the museum and see this work first hand after having read the book.
You spoil us. This was so fun to read. I love his work, too, and I've often wondered about the Helga paintings, too. Monogamy seems almost impossible for Creatives; even if they aren't having an actual affair, it seems like a good choice to have a secret on the side, one that doesn't hurt anyone, but keeps those juices going!