Customer Reviews

Andrew Wyeth: A Secret Life

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Mr. Richard Meryman has been writing about Mr. Andrew Wyeth for decades. With the possible exception of Family he is as well qualified as anyone to bring this deeply personal biography to readers and art lovers alike. His subject is a man who many would argue to be one of, if not the finest artist this Country is home to. When placed among his Father, his Sisters, and his Son, there is no other Family who has contributed to the art world for such a long period of time, in so prominent a manner, and with so high a level of excellence. The 21st Century marks the beginning of the third that the Wyeth name has maintained its place in the world of art and the hearts and imaginations of collectors. As a Family their History is already the material of both myth and legend.

My cautionary note in the title is important in direct relation to what you know about the man, who he paints, why, and what one of the most prevalent themes that mark his work are. I came to this book as a great admirer of his work, and I finished it with my love for his work intact, I do not have any of the same ideas I once did prior to reading the book.

"Christina's World" which is one of his singularly well known works, is also one of the least understood. The house and its influence on the artist did spawn it's own art book, but the events in that house could inspire several more. The same can be said of Christina Olson. Once I read about the work and what Mr. Wyeth had to say, I felt foolish in my ignorance, the fact that my misconceptions are shared to this day bring no comfort.

The book does not require any knowledge of Mr. Wyeth to be read and enjoyed. It certainly will add to the experience if you know of the model that is recognized simply as "Helga". Mr. Meryman introduces you to Helga Testorf, and intriguing women in her own right who continues to assist Mr. Wyeth to this day.

This book also brings to the reader Mrs. Betsy Wyeth, who is much more than the Wife of this man. She is a powerful partner, a shrewd businesswoman, and thanks to her efforts the body of his work will be documented.

Many of his well-known works are serene, even gentle; fishing nets drying in a sea breeze, or Mr. Wyeth's dog sleeping with his head upon a pillow like any person would do. These images are only a veneer to the story the stories and life experiences that caused Mr. Wyeth to document them. A given image is like one page from hundreds that really explain what the work is all about.

You most likely will view this great man's work differently after you finish the book, but different does not mean negatively or more positively, rather just not the way you started.

Mr. Meryman has written a brilliant biography that is erudite, readable, and a triumph in that the subject of this work is incredibly complex and enigmatic.

Brilliant subject, and a written work that pays tribute to the man, his Family, his work, and some of the people he paints, without fawning over him.

This book deals with Andrew Wyeth's relationships. Importantly, it often deals with Andrew Wyeth's relationships simulataneously. One relationship is analysed and the conclusions are superimposed onto another relationship to seek similarities or contrasts.

Describe the book as a series of overlapping X-rays of Andrew Wyeth's relationships, if you will, but do not expect Meryman to give you one final, big revelation.

Rather, Meryman goes for all the details and intricacies without at any time repeating himself or getting boring. The book is an exciting exploration of a complex and great artist. Meryman is all the time getting there, removing the layers of skin around Wyeth's core secrets, but never actually arriving at the heart, no matter how many accurate, sensitive, well-aimed X-rays he plies.

You sense, though, that the tension in his major relationships -- with his father NC Wyeth, his wife Betsy, his two sons, his sisters, his black friends, the people he painted most, namely, Helga, the Kuerners, the Olsons -- you sense that the tautness of feelings in each case, sharply controlled, come to bloom in his meticulously executed paintings which are austere yet quintessential life.

Paintings feeding on life. Life sublimated into art. And thus the reason, as Meryman shows, why Wyeth could not just paint anything, why before Wyeth embarked on a picture he had to be sure it had enough emotional engagement to see him through to the end, why his subjects became themselves the objects of his emotions, an intimate part of his life, like Helga.

The first picture I saw of Wyeth's was "Winter 1946", showing a boy seemingly lost in the fields. He did this the year after his father's death. Anyone who has lost a parent cannot help recognising the anguish in this picture.

To unleash such power, Wyeth had to find and assimilate it. Throughout his life Andrew Wyeth is seeking emotional momentum, whatever the cost.

It seems that, early in his life, pushed by NC's example and encouragement, Wyeth came to terms with the sacrifices which his art demanded. And yet it comes out clearly in Meryman's book that Wyeth could not come to terms with this driving force, with the brute rush, the ruthlessness which seeking emotional momentum implies.

This is a great book, sensitively written, comprehensive.

Holding it in your hand you can see that it is well-illustrated. It needs a proper index badly, though.

If you want to know Andrew Wyeth, go for it !

I read this book last year and I still think about the indepth research and wonderful language. The railroad crossing segment is worth the price of the book. The book will make you see Wyeth's work in a new light. Another book recommendation of same gendre, "Utopia Parkway".

I am pleased to have read so much about Andrew and my late uncle, Walter Anderson, who lived in Port Clyde, ME. Walt was Andy's "best Maine friend." I hope I can find the resources to present my insights on their relationship, and the salty side of Walt's character and the people he associated with....only if Andrew would endorse my efforts....God knows I've asked him, in person....maybe someday, soon, I'll find the right connection. Russell Anderson

I have recently been studying [privately - I am a painter, not a student] the work of Andrew Wyeth, and so was pleased when I came across this biography of his life. I found it a totally absorbing read, and read the whole [it is long] book cover to cover, which even Rothko's biography failed me on, and I am a great fan of his. Reading a negative review above - Andrew Wyeth is not a dirty old man, and please don't let that reviewer put you off. As an artist, struggling daily with the development of my craft, I found this book riveting. It explained a lot to me about myself [and I am neither old, dirty, nor a man!] and my life as an artist, and my partner's role in that life. The descriptions of Wyeth working, his methods, his relationships with his models [few of which were ever nude, or female], all people he knew, in depth, and loved, in depth. This is a warts and all biography, a thorough and fascinating read. So fascinating, that I feel sorry to have just finished the last page earlier today, and having to return my library copy of the book, I am visiting Amazon to purchase my own copy for my collection. Buy it, borrow it, beg it, read it, even an abstract painter will learn from reading this book. It is about an artist's relationship with his world.

This was a very interesting biography on Andrew Wyeth. I feel this book gave me insight into the artist himself, his wife Betsy and the Wyeth family. This book made me feel familiar with Karl Kuerner, Karl's farm, Christina Olson, Ben Loper and many others which added so much to how I look at the paintings. I feel I see the paintings in a whole different way. I liked the fact that Andrew Wyeth painted his close friends, everyday people and those that we can relate to in our personal lives. I loved the book and am now half way through reading it again.

In a museum about two hours driving from where I live, there was an "Andrew Wyeth Show" where many of his work were shown. I am writing this several days after I saw the show.

To me, the "mystery" was his paintings. Why do they look like more than mere images? Why other realism painting don't catch my attention like those of Wyeth's? His skills as a painter is without a doubt a perfection, but that's not it. What, then, does make his work special?

That was all I wanted to know, and reading Chapters 1 and 2 were enough for me to draw my own conclusion. I found some important keywords that I don't list here because important keywords differ from person to person. I am sure if you read this book with a mission you can find some keywords that helps you - as a painter.

I think that each chapter should have had a name instead of just chapter 2, chapter 3, and so forth because not everybody has time to read this thick book and not everybody is interested in knowing the every detail of the painter. Some chapter had less importance to me, although I am sure they may be important to other people. They were description of his family members and people who had something to do with the painter, but I find them too detail for my purpose of reading.

I think this book can be compressed and will still be as good as it is if compressed wisely. It is too bad that a reader has to read the whole book to see what is written in each chapter. If I was a writer I would have had a chapter for Christina Olson, a chapter for Wyeth as a young person, a chapter for his inspiration, a chapter for the influence from his family especially his father, and so on. That way it is easier to read and go back to where you want to go back to find something that captured your attention. I had to flip pages after pages because the book is not organized.

There are many AW books that concentrate on paintings or eras of his art. This is a good overall view of the man and his life and art. It is good, but not a substitute for, the real experience of viewing the paintings and letting them sink into your own mind. For myself, listening to his matter-of-fact comments about various works and reading the author's summaries and paraphrases of aspects of his art or life are less interseting than what seems to be between the lines. AW is an artist who sees the human imprint on objects & places and gives them reverence in the form of observation as witness to their authenticity. Yipe. Just read the book

I found this book insightful and it provided the reader with a full Wyeth historical perspective. It also gave Andrew's motivation for his work and how his wife and children played a role in his life in painting.

I consider Andrew Wyeth to be one of the greatest American artists of all time and this book gives incredible insight into why. I have many books on Wyeth and this book is a "must read" to understanding this very complex man. WOW!