As I’ve mentioned before, I run hot and cold on Andrew Wyeth. I’m not particularly fond of the paintings that are generally regarded to be his major works — which tend to be figurative and conceptual, with narrative implications — but I do very much like some of his simple and direct observations of his immediate surroundings in the Brandywine Valley (perhaps partially because I grew up in the area).
These, though sometimes in tempera, are done mostly in sketches and watercolor. They are often dry brush watercolor, and wonderfully textural. Like much of Wyeth’s work, they are in subdued palettes, almost monochromatic, to the point where a blue window frame or red apple comes as something of a shock.
One of the common subjects Wyeth returned to frequently was the depiction of windows, and he sketched and painted many variations on the theme.
An exhibit at the National Gallery in D.C., titled Andrew Wyeth: Looking Out, Looking In explores that aspect of his work.
There is only a brief slideshow of a few works form the show on the museum’s site, so I’ll leave you with a link to a Google image search for “Andrew Wyeth” “windows”, and if you want to know if a piece is in the show, a link to the NGA press page which includes a PDF checklist (right column).
There is a book accompanying the exhibition, also titled Andrew Wyeth: Looking Out, Looking In, but I haven’t seen it, so you’ll have to look for the reviews of others.
Andrew Wyeth: Looking Out, Looking In is on view at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. until November 30, 2014.
For more see my previous posts on Andrew Wyeth, and here.
