Posted on 04/26/2020 8:40:41 PM PDT by Albion Wilde
She was just 17 when she met her future husband. She went on to guide his career and became an avid preservationist of vernacular architecture.
Betsy Wyeth was the model for her husband’s 1966 painting “Maga’s Daughter.” Maga was a nickname for her mother. She played a major role in his career, saying, “It’s like I’m a director and I had the greatest actor in the world.”
Betsy James Wyeth, the indomitable widow, collaborator and muse of the painter Andrew Wyeth, died on April 21 at her home in Chadds Ford, Pa. She was 98.
She had been in declining health for years, her son Jamie Wyeth said in confirming the death.
The couple met in 1939 in Cushing, Maine, when she was 17 and he was 22. As the oft-told story goes, Ms. Wyeth’s father invited the handsome young painter to meet his three daughters.
He was taken with Betsy, the youngest, and she with him, and...
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Betsy Wyeth was the model for her husband’s 1966 painting “Maga’s Daughter.” Maga was a nickname for her mother. She played a major role in his career, saying, “It’s like I’m a director and I had the greatest actor in the world.”
How long before they declare this a Covid death?
Just hope the Delco Coroner/Health Department doesn’t try to list her as COVID to pad the death toll.
Too much of that in PA already.
My bad—DelCo is the only Phillyburb County WITHOUT a County Health Department.
Ping!
I was more interested in her nickname, “Maga’s daughter.” Gee, I thought that was one of us.
I'm not shocked...really. Just kinda sad....
I've been here on FR for many years now...
I've seen many things in my 20 years here...
"I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape. Something waits beneath it; the whole story doesn't show."
Well..you and I agree..
Yeah, and the local democraps are already complaining about it. Delaware county had always been in Republican hands until the last election-apparently all the newbies moving in are leftards.
I grew up very near Chadd’s Ford and know many of the places Wyeth painted. I agree with him that there’s something about a Winter landscape.
Tried to read the article....
but, NY TIMES and they want you to sign up...
NO THANKS...
I have “Christina’s World” as my PC wallpaper. Wyeth was a genius. She must have been a fantastic woman.
Thanks for posting.
The Wyeth family are the first family of American Art IMO.
RIP Betsy.
i didn’t know anything about her really- I think she kept his collection together in a gallery/home but other than that i didn’t know much about her- i only studied his works, and read only a little about his life many many moons ago- not much- some interesting notes about when he was getting into the art world-
Crystal Bridges Art Gallery in Bentonville, AR, has his painting “Airborne” which has a surreal quality.
i had the book christina’s world at one point- she was a fascinating and tough lady- for sure-
I'm a bit worn thinner..by many things here on FR, of late.
Andrew Wyeth had something in common with the average portrait artists of the middle ages. He often used Egg Tempera paints. Egg Temperas are difficult and time consuming to work with, but the results can appear remarkably natural.
Raw egg yolk, vinegar, water and powdered pigment.
After creating an under-painting of blocks of color, he would apply layers of the egg tempera. They produce translucent glazes you would never achieve using acrylic or oils.
Egg Yolk was also used in another well known piece.
Take my word for it, you have seen this one in some manner.
“The Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli! One of my favorites of that era in that illustrative style. Done near year 1480.
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