Redefining Grandma Moses: A New Exhibition Sheds Light on the Life and Art of an American Legend

Strategic Insights -

The Smithsonian American Art Museum's new exhibition, "Grandma Moses: A Good Day's Work," seeks to reframe the public's perception of Anna Mary Robertson Moses, a famous commercial artist who never received the critical acclaim she deserved. Born in upstate New York, Moses began painting seriously in her late 70s, producing over 1,500 canvases that evoke a sense of childlike wonder and glee. Despite her incredible popularity and commercial success, Moses was largely dismissed by the art establishment as a self-taught, elderly, female artist.

Key Takeaways:

  • The exhibition features over 88 works by Moses, including 33 from the Smithsonian's permanent collection, which showcases her development as an artist and her unique style.
  • Moses' paintings are characterized by their warmth, accessibility, and nostalgic quality, often depicting everyday life in rural America.
  • The exhibition aims to reframe Moses' image as a serious, workmanlike artist, rather than a quaint, naive figure.
  • Moses' art was highly successful commercially, with Hallmark selling 48 million greeting cards featuring her paintings by 1953.
  • Despite her popularity, Moses did not receive critical acclaim, with many art critics dismissing her as a "primitive" or "self-taught" artist.
  • The exhibition features a diverse range of artworks, including paintings, watercolors, and sketches, which demonstrate Moses' skill and versatility as an artist.
  • Moses' art has been used in various contexts, including as propaganda in the Cold War era, and has been subject to different interpretations over the years.
  • The exhibition's curators aim to provide a nuanced understanding of Moses' art and its significance in the context of American art history.

Statistics:

  • Anna Mary Robertson Moses produced over 1,500 canvases in just two decades, making her one of the most prolific artists of her generation.
  • By 1953, Hallmark had sold 48 million greeting cards featuring Moses' paintings.
  • The Smithsonian American Art Museum's permanent collection features 33 works by Moses, which showcases her development as an artist and her unique style.
  • The exhibition features over 88 works by Moses, including paintings, watercolors, and sketches.
  • Moses' art was highly successful commercially, with estimates suggesting that she earned over $100,000 annually from her paintings in the 1940s and 1950s.

Sources:

  • Time magazine
  • The New Yorker
  • Smithsonian American Art Museum
  • Kallir Research Institute
  • National Endowment for the Arts