Andrew Wyeth: A Secret Life [Hardcover]

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.

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 !