Letter to William Phelps, page eight
Date1948
Artist
Andrew Wyeth
(American painter, 1917–2009)
MediumInk on paper
Dimensionssheet: 10 1/2 × 7 1/4 in. (26.7 × 18.4 cm)
Credit LineGift of Mary M. R. Phelps, 1968
Object number1968-26.4b
On View
Not on viewClassificationsARCHIVAL MATERIAL
Label TextIn this letter to the Phelpses, Wyeth writes about a letter he had read that was written by Hans Herr. Wyeth relates, "(A December 1740 letter of Mr. Herr's) tells of...a snow storm raging outdoors. The only light (was) from the fireplace. He stated in a very interesting way that the room was filled with thirty Indians which made the room smell of bear grease which they rubbed themselves with to keep warm. Can't you picture this wonderful scene? I would picture it something like this." Captivated by visions of the frontier life lead by his forebears more than two hundred years earlier, Wyeth rendered this scene of pure fantasy which is rather unique in his work.
Physical/Intellectual
