A group of five autographed notes signed, including one featuring a self-portrait sketch, by American realist artist Andrew Wyeth (1917-2009). Wyeth has inscribed over 50 words in his hand, and the notes are signed a total of eight times: four times as "Andy"; once as "A.W."; and three times as either "your roof sitter" or "your old roof sitter." The handwritten messages and drawing were exchanged between Wyeth and George & Helen Sipala, his longtime friends and neighbors in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, between May 1989 and October 1989, and the collection was grouped and preserved in a scrapbook album page measuring 9.5" x 11." Provenance: From the personal collection of George & Helen Sipala. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity dated November 2, 2020 originally signed by Helen Sipala.

Andrew Wyeth first visited his neighbors George & Helen Sipala at their home Painter's Folly on March 1, 1989, after rambling onto the property to study a pair of mermaid statues. Wyeth's home and studio were located about 1.5 miles to the southwest of Painter's Folly. The Sipalas cordially received the eccentric artist, and granted him full access to their house, roofline, and property. Wyeth visited regularly, sometimes almost daily, over the next 20 years until his death in 2009. Painter's Folly is depicted in Wyeth's work of the same name, from 1989 (see picture included for reference), and also in the drawing included in this lot.

The lot is comprised of, in chronological order:

1. A piece of paper signed and inscribed by Wyeth as: "your roof / sitter / was here / Andy - / Thanks -." Dated "5/17/89." Near fine. 4" square.

2. A self-portrait pencil sketch signed and inscribed by Wyeth at upper left as: "The strawberries / were wonderful / Thanks / Your Roof / sitter / Andy." Wyeth has depicted himself drawing en plein air. He is shown seated on a high stool somewhere on the lawn of Painter's Folly, which is recognizable by the ornate carved decoration of the column and roofline. Dated "6/2/89" verso. Expected wear including isolated stains, else near fine. 4" square.

3. A handwritten note by George Sipala urging Wyeth to fortify himself with fruit, signed and inscribed at the bottom by Wyeth as: "Many / Thanks George S / Andy -." Dated "6/15/89" at upper right. Isolated foxing, else near fine. 4" x 6."

4. Wyeth has recycled a full sheet of driving directions, signing and inscribing it recto as: "Sorry I missed / you - / Your old roof sitter / A.W. / Will be back soon -." Dated "10/5/89" at upper right. The directions verso are crossed out. Expected wear including gentle pen impressions and isolated stains, else near fine. 9" x 5.875."

5. An undated note signed and inscribed by Wyeth as: "George Helen - / When I come / back you / must put this / on - Its [sic] me again - / just wonderful / love / Andy -." 4" x 6."

Provenance

George & Helen Sipala lived at Painter's Folly, near Route 1 (or Baltimore Pike) in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania from 1974 until 2018. Painter's Folly was an Italianate style residence built in 1857 that had served as Howard Pyle's summer art colony around the turn of the twentieth century; Wyeth's father had studied there.

Helen fondly recalled in her letter of authenticity:

"When we weren't home, he [Andy] would leave us a written note on the kitchen table to let us know of his visit. At first it was any little piece of paper he could find until we realized that a pad was necessary. As you will see, the notes pertained to what he was working on, the time of the day, and with a personal sketch or two.

The notes were signed with various comical notations or signatures. Robin Hood, The Snowman, The man on the roof, Old Bones, The Spirit, etc. were just a few. Sketches might explain what he was working on or just silly thoughts in his head…Little did he know, that these simple drawings and letters would become a real part of our lives, and, hopefully, a real part of Andy's legacy…"

Wyeth and the Sipalas also socialized together in Chadds Ford, Maine, and elsewhere, and Helen Sipala also occasionally posed for him. Helen Sipala relied on recollections, diary entries, and the voluminous collection of ephemera that Andy left behind on his visits to compose her memoir, "Beyond the Marriage Bed: My Years as Friend, Model and Confidante of Andrew Wyeth" (Berkeley, California: Regent Press, 2021), edited by Bruce E. Mowbray. In 2018, Painter's Folly was purchased by Chadds Ford as part of its Historic and Open Space inventory initiatives.

Andrew Wyeth was the youngest child of nationally acclaimed illustrator N.C. Wyeth. Andrew became known for his spare, stark, monochrome depictions of nature and rural American life. His moving work "Christina's World" (1948), showing his physically disabled neighbor Christina Olson stretched out in a field, is emblematic of Wyeth's style and tone. He typically sketched in pencil or watercolor, and his finished large-scale artwork was accomplished in either watercolor, drybrush watercolor, or egg tempera.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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