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Andrew Wyeth: Memory & Magic
Prior to the 1960s, Andrew Wyeth enjoyed a stellar reputation as a rising star in the art world. Since then, critics and scholars have largely ignored him. Wyeth, however, who is age 88 at the date of publication, has continued to paint, to the delight of his admirers, collectors, and the art-loving public. Now, in association with the High Museum exhibition, Andrew Wyeth: Memory & Magic takes a fresh look at the work of one of America's most beloved artists.In examining his entire oeuvre, the book celebrates the artist's ongoing love affair with everyday life-domestic, natural, and architectural. Found throughout Wyeth's work, these objects form patterns that illuminate core themes and reveal the artist wrestling with issues of memory, temporality, embodiment, and the metaphysical. Organized chronologically and thematically, the book explores how the artist's approach to these subjects was formed in his early career, and has been revisited in new and surprising ways in recent years.Andrew Wyeth: Memory & Magic comprises 150 tempera paintings and 50 drawings and watercolors-including his most-famous works, but also many published here for the first time.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 21, 2016
Andrew Wyeth is the second of three or more generations of Wyeth painters. Son of one of my favorite illustrators, N.C. Wyeth, his style was quite different. He was around for over ninety years and this book is based on an exhibit that I enjoyed. It also contains many other photographs of his works that are rendered in large scale and lush printing.
I have come to value the natural tones that are part and parcel of Wyeth’s works. He has a special talent at rendering textures whether they are grass or nets or hair or bark. Few of his works are shrill, instead they invite you to engage in prolonged contemplation as details gently emerge.
This volume earns high marks for conveying all of that without even pausing for the text. Yet we are treated to a number of essays that explore his creative choices�.a valuable addition.
This is a book that all who love Andrew Wyeth’s work should have access to.
I have come to value the natural tones that are part and parcel of Wyeth’s works. He has a special talent at rendering textures whether they are grass or nets or hair or bark. Few of his works are shrill, instead they invite you to engage in prolonged contemplation as details gently emerge.
This volume earns high marks for conveying all of that without even pausing for the text. Yet we are treated to a number of essays that explore his creative choices�.a valuable addition.
This is a book that all who love Andrew Wyeth’s work should have access to.
January 17, 2024
I own quite a few art books, but this is one of the few I’ve actually read cover-to-cover instead of flipping through to admire the art inside. Alongside 80+ gorgeously high-quality plates of Wyeth’s work—of a decent variety, too—are four in-depth, scholarly essays that look deeper into Wyeth’s work. It’s these essays, which occupy about of the book’s page length, that made this hit me as hard as it did. I felt like I was back in college again, which is a good thing, in this case, as the richly researched and argued essays gave me new windows into the why and how of Wyeth’s work on both a macro and micro level.
I’ve always loved Wyeth’s work; his cinematic perspectives and imaginative, dreamy slant on realism have spoken to me since I first became aware of art as something more than a pretty picture. But after reading this, I feel like I can finally articulate where Wyeth’s style comes from and, more importantly, why it’s so compelling even beyond the obvious aesthetic appeals. I was genuinely sad to reach the end of the book because I didn’t want to stop learning about the stories behind and within these paintings. It set a high bar for the rest of my year’s reading, to say the least.
I’ve always loved Wyeth’s work; his cinematic perspectives and imaginative, dreamy slant on realism have spoken to me since I first became aware of art as something more than a pretty picture. But after reading this, I feel like I can finally articulate where Wyeth’s style comes from and, more importantly, why it’s so compelling even beyond the obvious aesthetic appeals. I was genuinely sad to reach the end of the book because I didn’t want to stop learning about the stories behind and within these paintings. It set a high bar for the rest of my year’s reading, to say the least.
May 19, 2010
Memory and Magic contains beautiful plates of Andrew Wyeth's best works along with some rich and highly informative background text; thus providing an fine overview of Wyeth's career. The focus is primarily on landscapes and still life with a few figures and portraits. There are two introductory essays; the first attempts to rehabilitate Wyeth's reputation as a modernist against the popular misconception that he's a sentimental realist, and the second highlights with spouse Betsy's role in his life and work.
September 23, 2009
I didn't actually read this whole book, but pored over the illustrations instead. Amazing how such a restricted palette of earth tones can move a girl who's sole purpose in life is to relish color. Wyeth is a master of composition, and can find balance in the most awkward of poses/crops/assemblages. I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent with this one.
December 23, 2014
The plates and prints by Wyeth are magnificent but his interpreters may have spent too much time in modern/contemporary art school to grasp simple yet complex beauty. They see a metaphor in every shadow - symbolism in every stoke or highlight.
May 22, 2019
For anyone wanting to be immersed in the life, mind and world of Andrew Wyeth, this is a wonderful choice.
October 7, 2021
"I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure in the landscape ..." - Andrew Wyeth
October 30, 2024
Clearly a talented authentic American artist, surprised to read that he was ignored for a time.
Reading his son’s book next and hope to find his father’s art chronicled in a book next.
Reading his son’s book next and hope to find his father’s art chronicled in a book next.
February 29, 2008
one of my favorite artits. *wyeth at kuerners* was the first book i read...powerful and real.
August 12, 2012
So glad that I picked this up and read it. There was great insight to Wyeth's thought process and his approach to painting. He certainly isn't "just another realist."
January 26, 2013
A most enjoyable Coffee-Table book that is biographical and illustrative of Andrew Wyeth's inspiration and talent.
March 12, 2016
gorgeous
November 2, 2019
Several essays on themes regarding Andrew Wyeth and his work. Beautiful plates in the back of this book.
March 5, 2009
Well-done.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
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