Andrew Wyeth
[Chadds Ford, PA], January 17, 1992
A. Wyeth 2x Signed ANS Re: Moonlight As Seen From Painter's Folly Widow's Walk
ANS

A 1p autograph note twice signed by American realist artist Andrew Wyeth (1917-2009), the first time as "The Spirit" at the conclusion; and the second time as "A" at the postscript. [January 17, 1992]. [Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania]. The 44-word note is inscribed in pencil on a sheet of typing paper. The time as "PM" and the date as "1/17/92" have been inscribed in the upper right corner, possibly in a different hand. Near fine. 8.5" x 11." With terrific provenance.

Wyeth addressed this note to his Chadds Ford neighbors George & Helen Sipala, who lived at Painter's Folly, near Route 1 (or Baltimore Pike) in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania from 1974 until 2018. Painter's Folly was an Italianate style residence built in 1857. The elegant mansion was dominated by a sizable widow's walk--or enclosed windowed upper room--located on the fourth story. From here, Wyeth would survey the surrounding landscape, or in this case, look up at the moon. Around the turn of the twentieth century, Painter's Folly had served as Howard Pyle's summer art colony, during which time Wyeth's father had studied there.

Wyeth wrote in full:

"6:25

Sat up in widows [sic] walk, moon not bright enough but got some wonderful ideas -

Missed not having Sister Helen with me - but plenty of time ahead

Moon should be fuller tomorrow night

XXX

The Spirit

See you in morning A -."

Over the course of his career, Andrew Wyeth depicted the moon in a variety of guises: as a wolf moon, a full moon, and a crescent moon. In his "Crescent Moon" (1979), a sliver of moon is visible in the far distance beyond the light cast from a window. 1982's "Moon Madness" depicts icicles hanging off roof eaves, the icy formations contrasting against a full moon. Wyeth returned to the moon again in "Crescent" (1987), which shows a waxing moon viewed from underneath a roofline suspended with woven, strap-handled baskets. On January 17, 1992, the night that Wyeth was moon-gazing, the moon was in a waxing gibbous phase, probably casting light over a snowy landscape which had been blanketed by the December 1992 nor'easter.

Provenance

In her letter of authenticity, Helen Sipala states that Andrew Wyeth's first visit to Painter's Folly occurred on March 1, 1989, after Wyeth had rambled onto the property to study a pair of mermaid statues. Wyeth's home and studio was located about 1.5 miles to the southwest of Painter's Folly. The artist was cordially received and granted full access to the house, roofline, and property. Wyeth visited regularly, sometimes almost daily, over the next 20 years until his death in 2009. Painter's Folly is depicted in Wyeth's work of the same name, from 1989 (see picture included for reference). In the end, about half a dozen Wyeth works feature either Painter's Folly or the Sipalas.

Helen wrote in part:

"When we weren't home, he [Andy] would leave us a written note on the kitchen table to let us know of his visit. At first it was any little piece of paper he could find until we realized that a pad was necessary. As you will see, the notes pertained to what he was working on, the time of the day, and with a personal sketch or two.

The notes were signed with various comical notations or signatures. Robin Hood, The Snowman, The man on the roof, Old Bones, The Spirit, etc. were just a few. Sketches might explain what he was working on or just silly thoughts in his head?Little did he know, that these simple drawings and letters would become a real part of our lives, and, hopefully, a real part of Andy's legacy?"

Wyeth and the Sipalas also socialized together in Chadds Ford, Maine, and elsewhere, and Helen Sipala also occasionally posed for him. Helen Sipala relied on recollections, diary entries, and the voluminous collection of ephemera that Andy left behind on his visits to compose her memoir, "Beyond the Marriage Bed: My Years as Friend, Model and Confidante of Andrew Wyeth" (Berkeley, California: Regent Press, 2021), edited by Bruce E. Mowbray. In 2018, Painter's Folly was purchased by Chadds Ford as part of its Historic and Open Space inventory initiatives.

Andrew Wyeth was the youngest child of nationally acclaimed illustrator N.C. Wyeth. Andrew became known for his spare, stark, monochrome depictions of nature and rural American life. His moving work "Christina's World" (1948), showing his physically disabled neighbor Christina Olson stretched out in a field, is emblematic of Wyeth's style and tone. He typically sketched in pencil or watercolor, and his finished large-scale artwork was accomplished in either watercolor, drybrush watercolor, or egg tempera.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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8.5" x 11"
Provenance: From the personal collection of George & Helen Sipala, Wyeth's longtime friends and neighbors in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity dated November 2, 2020 originally signed by Helen Sipala.