This annual observance has been established in Maine to honor Andrew Wyeth, who passed away on Jan. 16, 2009, and who had long and lasting ties with our state. The Wyeth family, including Andrew, his father, illustrator N. C. Wyeth (1882-1945), and son Jamie Wyeth (1946- ), has made strong contributions to the state’s artistic and cultural heritage. Jamie Wyeth still lives and works in Maine.
Andrew Wyeth painted what is arguably his most famous image, Christina’s World, at the Olson farm in Cushing in 1948. Over the next 50 years he continued to paint Maine people and places. Many of the works of art are part of the Farnsworth Art Museum collection in Rockland, where a 19th-century church has been transformed into the Wyeth Center.
In accordance with legislation, the Maine Department of Education is making related information available to the people and the schools of Maine.
The image on this page is Wyeth's The Murray House, watercolor on paper, 23 x 29 3/4”.
Educator Resources
- Biographical Information. Learn about Andrew Wyeth, Betsy James Wyeth, Christina Olson and Alvaro Olson.
- Historical Information about the Hathorn/Olson House (PDF, 8KB)
- Three Generations of Artists (the Wyeth Family Tree) (PDF, 100KB)
- Wyeth's Artistic Methods
- About Egg Tempera (PDF, 8KB)
- Techniques Using Egg Tempera (PDF, 8KB)
- Lesson: A Visit to the Olson House (PDF, 10KB)
- Related Museums