William C. Ketchum, Jr.

"Grandma Moses" is the name adopted by the folk artist Anna Mary Robertson, whose long life extended from 1860 to 1961. She only started painting at the age of 78, and over the next 3 decades, generated more than 1500 canvases. In the post- World War period, she gained fame with a general public that found her work much more to their taste than the Abstract Expressionism of professional artists.

This large- format book presents Grandma Moses’ paintings in full color, in one- and two-page spreads. Her work is instantly recognizable, due to its simple style and its subject matter -- commonly scenes of rural farm life, country fairs, small towns, and family holiday gatherings. Her paintings are (as described in this book) “simple, direct, and honest” much like the artist herself, who remained modest, unpretentious, and unaffected by her growing fame. The perspective is often “primitive;” the colors are brilliant; and the scenes are heart-warming and oftimes sentimental. The book often presents close-up enlargements of particular scenes, but commonly not to the works’ advantage. Such enlargements reveal human figures rendered in an amateurish, childlike style. The paintings containing such figures do not withstand close scrutiny; they are better appreciated from a distance.

The book is loosely organized by subject matter. The first chapter introduces the artist’s life, and the second, her methods and their origins in Robertson’s own needlework and embroidery. Chapter 3 considers her landscapes and scenes, while Chapter 4 presents her paintings of “joyful times and memories” largely holidays and family get-togethers. Chapter 5 focuses on her most autobiographical art – paintings of her own family life and history. The text that accompanies each chapter is descriptive and informative. Overall, this book offers a worthy portrayal of a uniquely American figure in the art world, one whose popularity lies with the general public, not with the world of professionals and academics.… (mais)