The art world lost a master with Friday's passing of American painter Andrew Wyeth, whose realistic portrayals of rural settings and thoughtful characters earned him the distinction of being the "Painter of the People" during the mid to late 20th century. Wyeth's most famous painting, Christina's World, hangs in New York's Museum of Modern Art, but those curious to see his inspiration as well as his art need only head into the countryside. Wyeth grew up in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania and spent summers in Cushing, Maine, and both areas have museums with extensive collections of his work. The Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford contains the art of three generations of Wyeths - with work from Andrew's dad N.C. Wyeth and his son Jamie Wyeth - and will soon host a special celebration of Andrew's life and work. The Farnsworth Art Museum & Wyeth Center in Rockland, Maine, meanwhile, has one of the largest collections of Wyeths in the country, along with paintings from 17th and 18th century American artists. Two worthy destinations for an art-themed road trip this winter. Chadds Ford is less than an hour's drive from Philadelphia, while the closest big-ish city to Rockland is Portland, two hours away.
[Photo: Brandywine River Museum]
Related Stories:
· Andrew Wyeth: 1917-2009 [Washington Post]
· Andrew Wyeth [Official site]
· Brandywine River Museum [Official Site]
· Farnsworth Art Museum [Official Site]
· Art Coverage [Jaunted]]]>