Andrew Wyeth
[Chadds Ford, PA], May 29, 1992
A. Wyeth Punning AL With Self-Portrait Original Drawing
AN With Original Drawing

A 1p autograph letter by American realist artist Andrew Wyeth (1917-2009), unsigned, but featuring 28 words in his hand; and also including an original pencil drawing located towards the center depicting the artist seated on a hillside with a large canvas propped in his lap and a painter's box at his left. Inscribed in pencil on a sheet of typing paper. The date as "5/29/92" has been inscribed in the upper right corner. Near fine. 8.5" x 11." With terrific provenance.

Wyeth addressed this letter 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 Sipalas granted Wyeth unrestricted access to the grounds at Painter's Folly. Evidently, Wyeth chose a hillside near the house from which to sketch on an overcast spring day. Artists had previously found artistic inspiration at Painter's Folly, notably around the turn of the twentieth century when artist Howard Pyle hosted a summer art colony.

Wyeth wrote in full:

"Helen -

I am over on the hill - but not over the hill!!!

Take a look for yourself [?] [from the] stair window -

Weather doubtful

Sun is gone -."

In a well-known egg tempera painting by Andrew Wyeth from 1945 entitled "Self-Portrait," a much younger Wyeth (age 28) is depicted striding through a wheat field carrying a large artist's portfolio under his arm. Both the 1945 "Self-Portrait" and this lively pencil sketch from 47 years later underscore the fact that Wyeth liked to work en plein air. In addition, both self-portraits clearly indicate that Wyeth envisioned himself first and foremost as an artist, with an artist's attributes (portfolio, canvas, painter's box, etc.)

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.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!
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.