Customer Reviews

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

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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

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!

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.

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An American Vision: Three Generations of Wyeth Art; N.C. Wyeth, Andrew Wyeth, James Wyeth is a fantastic addition to my library! I have always been fascinated by the Wyeth family's paintings and if you are too, then this would be a great book for you to have. It is a large format book and the paintings are reprinted on good paper. If you love the Wyeth's works and want to have a great way to look at them, then you should get a copy of this book!

This is a wonderfull book for any fan of Wyeth art. The book is of quality paper and color. It has a very good representation of all three Wyeth artists