Greg Nolan
enthusiast
A beautiful birchbark canoe built by David Moses Bridges in 2006 is currently on display at the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, Maine.
The Farnsworth Art Museum has an excellent collection -- wide ranging, with a special focus on artists with a connection to Maine – including, in addition to the three generations of Wyeths, such artist as Edward Hopper, Robert Indiana, Bernice Abbott, Louise Nevelson, Marsden Hartley, Alex Kent. Deborah and I have been members for many years. We often make the 2+ hour drive down from Dover-Foxcroft to Rockland to visit the museum.
The canoe was commissioned by the well-known artist Andrew Wyeth and was built at Wythe’s place on the 450-acre Allen Island in Muscongous Bay, at the time owned by Betsy Wyeth, Andrew’s wife.
Andrew’s interest in birchbark canoes undoubtedly was influenced by his father, the well-known artist and illustrator N. C. Wyeth, who often feathered birchbarks in his work and who actually kept a birchbark canoe in his studio.
Wyeth and Bridges became friends during the construction of the canoe, and Wyeth painted Bridges’ portrait.
The canoe was put on display this past summer – I don’t know how long it will remain on display. If you are anywhere near, it is worth the trip.
Greg
The Farnsworth Art Museum has an excellent collection -- wide ranging, with a special focus on artists with a connection to Maine – including, in addition to the three generations of Wyeths, such artist as Edward Hopper, Robert Indiana, Bernice Abbott, Louise Nevelson, Marsden Hartley, Alex Kent. Deborah and I have been members for many years. We often make the 2+ hour drive down from Dover-Foxcroft to Rockland to visit the museum.
The canoe was commissioned by the well-known artist Andrew Wyeth and was built at Wythe’s place on the 450-acre Allen Island in Muscongous Bay, at the time owned by Betsy Wyeth, Andrew’s wife.
Andrew’s interest in birchbark canoes undoubtedly was influenced by his father, the well-known artist and illustrator N. C. Wyeth, who often feathered birchbarks in his work and who actually kept a birchbark canoe in his studio.
Wyeth and Bridges became friends during the construction of the canoe, and Wyeth painted Bridges’ portrait.
The canoe was put on display this past summer – I don’t know how long it will remain on display. If you are anywhere near, it is worth the trip.
Greg
