An American Vision: Three Generations of Wyeth Art: N.C. Wyeth, Andrew Wyeth, James Wyeth [Paperback]

James H. Duff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 30, 1987

From a major international exhibition, this stunning book captures three generations of art by the Wyeth family. This comprehensive collection is now in a paperback identical to the original clothbound edition. 130 color, 54 black-and-white illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The essays in this exhibition catalogue "struggle mightily," to link together the art of illustrator N. C. Wyeth, his famous son Andrew and Andrew's son James. "A sense of romance and love of nature supposedly suffuse the pictures of this family of artists," said PW , unconvinced.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Bulfinch; First Edition edition (July 30, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821216562
• ISBN-13: 978-0821216569
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 0.8 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #307,622 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Arts & Photography > Schools, Periods & Styles > Realism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fine Catalog of the Wyeth Family in America Reappears, December 25, 2007

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: An American Vision: Three Generations of Wyeth Art (Paperback)

In 1987 there was a traveling exhibition, AN AMERICAN VISION: THREE GENERATIONS OF WYETH ART, that was accompanied by a beautiful hardcover book by the same name. Fortunate for art lovers that catalog, having passed through a paperback phase, is once again appearing on the shelves of book stores and museums. It is a treasure worth seeking. Presented with a fine overview by James H. Duff the book follows the lives and influences and works by the three Wyeths: N.C. Wyeth, 1882 - 1945, is introduced by his son Andrew; Andrew Wyeth (born 1917) is introduced by Thomas Hoving; James Wyeth (born 1946) is introduced by Lincoln Kirsten who not only brings the reader up to date with Wyeth the Younger, but also provides insights to the durability of the Wyeth tradition and influence on American art.

Some may have once dismissed the three Wyeths as minor artists and major illustrators, but today's critics share a growing appreciation for their output, both individually and as a family of unique thought. NC Wyeth's works were more devoted to historic adventure paintings and his works were often used in books as illustrations for tales of adventure. Andrew Wyeth captured the mood of an America losing contact with the simplicity of her roots and his simple, unfettered landscapes and portraits continue to be hallmarks of a simpler time, a period when the poetry of Robert Frost and William Carlos Williams and the music of Aaron Copeland defined the quiet frontier vision too often forgotten in the smoke of industry and the clangor of technology. James (or Jamie) Wyeth's approach to nature and her animals and to the rugged individualism of the people who populate New England continue to celebrate the customs and concepts of a neglected America continue to grow: many feel his current work is his strongest.

The book is filled with full color plates of the paintings and drawings of all three of the Wyeth clan and moving through the pages is not unlike strolling the museums where this exhibition traveled throughout the USA and in Russia, England and Japan. It is a book of revelations about the three artists and an homage to a family talent that persists. Very highly recommended: look for it now! Grady Harp, December 07

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome, April 25, 2006

By 

azurewave (KY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An American Vision: Three Generations of Wyeth Art: N.C. Wyeth, Andrew Wyeth, James Wyeth (Paperback)

This is a fascinating book - about all three artists and also a study of artistic ability and creativity running through the family. I bought it years after enjoying the exhibition and have also given it to other art lovers. What the artists have to say about each other is interesting and the reproductions are beautiful. Don't miss this - it will only enhance your appreciation every time you encounter a Wyeth!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ...from ArtsyFartsy News, January2009, February 1, 2009

By 

Robert Burridge Studio - See all my reviews

This review is from: An American Vision: Three Generations of Wyeth Art: N.C. Wyeth, Andrew Wyeth, James Wyeth (Paperback)

This book continues to leave me speechless and star struck. A few weeks ago I heard the news... Andrew Wyeth had just died. A sad day for me. I felt a connection to the Wyeths and their long history of making paintings. The Pennsylvania barns and landscape scenes Andrew painted were where I grew up. James was briefly in my college painting class and N.C. Wyeth's paintings visually entertained me while I was a young reader of the classics.

N.C.'s paintings mesmerized me throughout my childhood and were my first awareness that one could actually have a job doing illustrations for advertisements. I was hooked.

Today, looking through this wondrous book, I continue to study the three generations of painters - N.C.'s strong graphic compositions and visual imagination; Andrew's commitment and self disciplined approach is inspiring and James' dedication to the family name, yet going off the path in search of his generation makes me proud I am a painter.

This book, chockfull of paintings, is visual joy, full of nostalgia and more strikingly, not affected by any contemporary movement in the arts. The Wyeth family stands alone.

Get this book!