As the Covid-19 pandemic winds down, hopefully, so does the Wyeth Exhibit at the Tucson Museum of Art downtown. This past Saturday we ventured out as close to other strangers as we have in over a year to see the exhibit featuring 3 generations of Wyeths, the most famous of whom is Andrew Wyeth, and whose son is still painting today.
This was actually the first time that I, Karen, visited TMA since the massive remodel that took a couple of years to complete. Bad on me, I know. But then Covid hit and shut everything down. So I was excited when the exhibit was announced several months ago.
Jim and I had finally gotten our vaccines and felt comfortable enough to venture out in public again. The Spring Festival of the Arts was again in swing, if not full swing. At 10 am, the crowds looked like it was midday. Café ala Cart was as packed as it could get and still keep the tables 6 feet away.
We made our way to the entrance, surrendered our advance tickets which are currently required at the museum in order to keep the crowds down and 6′ distance available. I suppose that is one nice thing about this. All the room you want to enjoy your favorite paintings.
The new TMA museum is impressive. No longer just a small-town museum, it boasts a significant amount of impressive artworks from donations, I suppose from people who would like to have a gallery named after them. It is all well organized.
So, I learned a lot about the Wyeths: NC the patriarch, an illustrator; Henriette, the oldest child of NC and an artist in her own right; Andrew, the youngest of NC’s offspring, and most famous; and Andrew’s second son Jamie, are all represented in this exhibit.
There were some interesting pieces. NC’s painting of Rudolph Nureyev is telling. Apparently, he spent 3 years trying to get Nureyev to pose for a portrait.
The most famous or best known of Andrew’s works are not included in this exhibit, but it is impressive enough to warrant going if you have the time before it closes May 9. The one above is quite indicative of Andrew Wyeth’s works and as haunting as Christina’s World. And while restrictions still exist, you can almost get a private showing, less the advantage of a knowledgeable docent’s talk.
I found the Ralston Gallery website of limited Wyeth prints by coincidence. It is interesting and Maine would make a wonderful summer getaway after the past year.
Oh, and there is now actually a sculpture garden beyond that door, with a good smattering of Auguste Rodin’s. Go and enjoy. And if you are dining out yet, and wish to dine at Cafe ala C’art be sure to make reservations It was as busy as ever.
