Good morning, Netizens...

Andrew Wyeth, an American painter, died in his sleep early this morning at his home in the Philadelphia suburb of Chadds Ford, according to the Associated Press. The son of an American book illustrator and artist, N.C. Wyeth, gained wealth, popularity and considerable acclaim for his poignant, moving water color paintings of Maine and Pennsylvania throughout his life.

His works have not only delighted audiences wherever they have been put on display, but in 2007 he won numerous honorary degrees. He received the 2007 National Medal of Arts. In 1963, Andrew Wyeth became the first painter to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 1977, he became the first American artist since John Singer Sargent elected to the Académie des Beaux-Arts. In 1980, Wyeth became the first living American artist to be elected to Britain's Royal Academy. In 1987 Wyeth received a D.F.A. from Bates College. On November 9, 1988, Wyeth received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the United States legislature.

A quite excellent history of one of his most-famous portraits, Christina's World, can be found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christina%27s_World as it explains the story behind the painting, always a must when it comes to Wyeth's art.

When four-time Pulitzer Prize Winning poet Robert Frost passed away in 1963, I felt as if I had lost literary guide, who so wonderfully expressed a part of history I had not seen. Now this morning, Andrew Wyeth is standing on the other side of the veil with Frost, his hand poised over a blank tempura canvas but will paint no more.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Wyeth. Your incomparable artistry will live on forever.

Dave

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