The Oak

1939

Meets Betsy James

In 1939 in Maine Wyeth met Betsy James, whom he married on 15 May 1940; she introduced him to Christina Olson, managed his career and influenced him so strongly that N. C. Wyeth came to resent her. “I am a director and I had the greatest actor in the world,” Betsy once said.

1943

Birth of his son Nicholas

In 1943 the Wyeths' first son, Nicholas, was born; Andrew later painted portraits of both his sons.

1944

His father's letter on the artist's freedom

In a letter of 1944 N. C. Wyeth counselled his son that the great men — Thoreau, Goethe, Emerson, Tolstoy — understood that the consequences of what one creates are unimportant, and that “anyone who creates for effect — to score a hit — does not know what he is missing”.

October 1945

Father and nephew killed by a train

In October 1945 N. C. Wyeth and his three-year-old grandson Newell Convers Wyeth II were killed when their car stalled on the railway tracks near their home and was struck by a train. Andrew called his father's death a formative event in his art; soon afterwards his painting consolidated into its mature, enduring style.

6 luglio 1946

Son born: Jamie Wyeth

1947

Gold medal of the American Academy of Arts and Letters

In 1947 the American Academy of Arts and Letters awarded Wyeth its gold medal for painting.