Andrew Wyeth – Artwork & Bio of the American Painter

Andrew Wyeth was an American painter born on 12 July 1917 in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. Wyeth’s artistic education came from his father, who was also an artist. At age 16, Wyeth exhibited at the Wilmington Society of the Fine Arts for the first time, grabbing the attention of art dealer Robert Macbeth. In 1937, Macbeth organized Andrew’s first solo exhibition.

Two years later, Wyeth married Betsy Merle James, who became his manager and curator. Wyeth continued gaining recognition through the 1950s, exhibiting widely and receiving an honorary doctorate from Harvard University. The earlier death of his father and the aftermath of the Second World War had visible impacts on his subject matter and palette.

Wyeth’s later works caused a lot of controversies due to his exploration of his subject’s sexualities. However, Leonard E.B. Andrews purchased the collection of paintings in 1986 and exhibited them the following year at the National Gallery of Art in Washington. He continued painting privately and died on 16 January 2009.

What was Andrew Wyeth Known For?

Andrew Wyeth was known for painting portraits and landscapes with accurate depictions. Wyeth famously employed a dry brush technique of applying paint, squeezing out most of the pigment before layering it on canvas. Wyeth worked with watercolors and egg tempera, preferring the medium over oils.

Who was Andrew Wyeth Influenced By?

Andrew Wyeth was influenced by his father – N. C. Wyeth, Edward Hopper, and Winslow Homer. Wyeth received the majority of his artistic training from his father and studied the works of American painters Hopper and Homer to develop his style.