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Henriette Wyeth
(American, 1907 - 1997)
Autumn Flowers
ca. 1926
35 × 30 in. (88.9 × 76.2 cm)
72.8
© artist, artist's estate, or other rights holders
Gift of Margaret I. Handy, 1972
When she began classes at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1924, Henriette Wyeth had already studied with her renowned father, N. C. Wyeth. Among the most common exercises for any student, whether in a private studio or art school, is the still-life composition. Although she often painted floral still lifes in her career, Wyeth remarked that she could “feel the death and disaster lurk[ing] right behind them” since the flowers’ fleeting beauty began to fade as soon they were cut from the garden. Despite the dark overtones, Wyeth posed with this painting for her engagement portrait photograph in advance of her wedding to artist Peter Hurd.
Not On View