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The artist Andrew Wyeth painted a local place and, in turn, significantly defined the place itself. In the mid-twentieth century, Wyeth lived and worked for much of his life in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, in the picturesque valley known as Brandywine country. The people, architecture, and landscape of the region are the subject matter of a large body of his work. (The other place he lived and worked was in Maine.) His humble studio in Chadds Ford is now open to visitors, along with his father’s, the famous illustrator of the early 20th century, N.C. Wyeth. Over the course of his life, the younger Wyeth painted hundreds of pictures that evoke—but do not copy—the everyday world around him. This world may be a tree stump or a barn, but whatever the subject, Wyeth was a remarkably skilled and observant painter who could turn an ordinary window into a haunting scene that tells a story about the passing of time and light. These are among the reasons Wyeth is a central figure in American art history.
Wyeth is most known for his large tempera paintings, such as Christina’s World (Museum of Modern Art, 1940), but his drawings and watercolors are remarkable. In fact, along with Winslow Homer and a handful of others, Wyeth is among the brilliant watercolorists in modern art.
Take a short road trip from the Annapolis area and view this talent on full display at the Brandywine Museum of Art, which is hosting an exhibition of Wyeth’s botanical drawings and paintings titled “Every Leaf & Twig: Andrew Wyeth’s Botanical Imagination.” The show runs through September 15, 2024. The museum hosts another show by his son, Jamie Wyeth, although the father is the superior artist. As evident in the botanicals watercolor show, Andrew Wyeth’s brushstrokes are delicate. In some paintings, they convey an astonishing lyricism; in others, a piercing agony. To deepen your experience, tour both his studio and his father’s.
Break for lunch at the lovely Terrain Nursery and Café and finish up your day touring one of the many local wineries. Or, if you are a history buff, check out the Brandywine Battlefield historic site. Fought on September 11, 1777, during the American Revolution, this was the battle where George Washington’s troops fell to the British, who went on to capture the nearby rebel capital of Philadelphia, which they held for nine months until their defeat in 1778.
Credit for Main Image:
Andrew Wyeth (1917 – 2009), Pennsylvania Landscape, 1941, tempera on panel, 35 × 47 in. Brandywine Museum of Art, bequest of Miss Remsen Yerkes, 1982. © 2024 Wyeth Foundation for American Art/Artists Rights Society (ARS) New York
Brandywine Battlefield
This park and National Historic Landmark commemorates the largest single-day land battle of the American Revolution. Educational programs and other resources can help you make the most of your visit.
www.brandywinebattlefield.org
Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art
Experience art and nature together at this combined conservancy protecting the Brandywine-Christina watershed and museum that showcases the region’s celebrated artists.
www.brandywine.org
Andrew Wyeth Studio
See Wyeth’s work right in his studio, where he created thousands of paintings and drawings, all inspired by the community’s people, architecture, and landscapes.
www.brandywine.org/museum/historic-artists-studios/andrew-wyeth-studio
N.C. Wyeth Studio
Visit the house that Wyeth’s father, N.C. Wyeth bought with the money he made from his famous 1911 illustrations for the book Treasure Island. Step inside his studio, which is still furnished with props he used as reference for his illustrations.
www.brandywine.org/museum/historic-artists-studios/nc-wyeth-house-studio
Chaddsford Winery
This winery sits right in the heart of Brandywine Valley and offers a diverse selection of wine with an emphasis on approachability. Enjoy table service, where you can enjoy self-guided tasting flights, drinks by the glass, and food service.
www.chaddsford.com
Penns Woods Winery
Take in the sights of the surrounding vineyard when you enjoy outdoor seating at this winery founded by an Italian immigrant who got his start making wine in Abruzzo, Italy. Choose from a wine tasting or order wine by the glass or the bottle while enjoying a gourmet selection of light fare.
www.pennswoodswinery.com
Chanticleer Garden
Explore 35 acres of breathtakingly beautiful gardens cultivated by seven horticulturalists who design, plant, and maintain specific areas of the expansive historic setting, such as the Tennis Court, Gravel Garden, Ruin, and Pond Garden.
www.chanticleergarden.org
Longwood Gardens
Nearly 200 acres divided into six districts mean you’ll have endless places to explore as you take in the horticultural artistry of formal gardens, open meadows, and stunning vistas. While there, you can shop for artisan goods and dine in the café or beer garden.
www.longwoodgardens.org
Terrain Nursery, Garden Shop and Café
Founded by the company that owns Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters, Terrain is an upscale nursery of lush plants, outdoor furnishings, home goods, and a café. Make a reservation to visit the Mushroom House. Reservations are also required for the café.
www.shopterrain.com
©Annapolis Home Magazine
The Faces of Annapolis 2024