Anna Mary Robertson Moses, also known as Grandma Moses, was an American folk artist who achieved worldwide fame in the 20th century. Born in 1860, she began painting in her late 70s and went on to create over 1,500 works of art, which have been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world. Here are five facts about Grandma Moses:
1. She started painting in her 70s
Grandma Moses began painting in her late 70s, after giving up her embroidery work due to arthritis. She initially used leftover paint from her grandchildren’s art projects and painted on pieces of cardboard. Her first painting was called “Sugaring Off,” and it depicted a rural scene of people making maple syrup. Despite having no formal training in art, Moses developed her own unique style, which was characterized by bright colors, flattened perspective, and whimsical subjects.
2. She became famous in her 80s
Grandma Moses achieved international fame in her 80s, after her paintings were discovered by a New York City art collector named Louis Caldor. Caldor exhibited her work in his gallery, and it quickly became popular with collectors and art enthusiasts. Moses’ paintings were praised for their nostalgic depictions of rural life and their charming, childlike quality. She was featured in numerous magazines and newspapers, and her artwork was reproduced on everything from greeting cards to calendars.
3. She was a prolific artist
Over the course of her painting career, Grandma Moses created over 1,500 works of art. Her paintings often depicted rural scenes, such as farmhouses, fields, and barns, as well as nostalgic memories from her own life. She worked on multiple paintings at a time, and would often complete one in a single day. Despite her prolific output, Moses remained humble about her work, saying, “I look back on my life like a good day’s work, it was done and I feel satisfied with it.”
4. She was a trailblazer for women artists
Grandma Moses’ success as an artist was remarkable, given the era in which she lived. She was born in 1860, a time when women had limited opportunities for education and career advancement. Despite this, Moses was able to achieve international acclaim as an artist in her 80s, paving the way for other women artists to follow in her footsteps. Her success also challenged conventional ideas about what constituted “high art,” and demonstrated that folk art could be just as valuable and meaningful as more traditional forms of art.
5. Her legacy continues today
Despite passing away in 1961 at the age of 101, Grandma Moses’ legacy continues to live on. Her paintings can be found in museums and galleries around the world, and continue to be reproduced on a variety of products. In 2006, one of her paintings sold for $1.2 million at a Sotheby’s auction, a testament to the enduring appeal of her work. Moses’ life and art have inspired countless people, and continue to be celebrated as a testament to the power of creativity, persistence, and the human spirit.
6. She inspired a Hollywood movie
In 1950, Hollywood made a biographical movie about Grandma Moses called “The Goddess,” starring Kim Stanley. The movie was based on Moses’ life story and depicted her as a strong, independent woman who overcame adversity to achieve success as an artist. The movie received critical acclaim and helped to further popularize Moses’ work.
7. She received numerous awards and honors
Throughout her life, Grandma Moses received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the arts. In 1949, she was awarded the Women’s National Press Club Trophy for “the woman who has done the most for the world of women.” In 1952, she was awarded an honorary degree by Russell Sage College. In 1953, she was awarded the Good Housekeeping Award for creative achievement. And in 1960, she was honored by President Dwight D. Eisenhower at a White House ceremony, where she was presented with the Women’s National Press Club trophy.
8. Her artwork has been featured on stamps
Grandma Moses’ artwork has been featured on several postage stamps issued by the United States Postal Service. In 1969, a stamp featuring her painting “The Old Checkered House” was issued as part of a series commemorating the 150th anniversary of Vermont statehood. In 1976, her painting “Sugaring Off” was featured on a stamp as part of a series commemorating the United States Bicentennial. And in 2006, a stamp featuring her painting “Over the River to Grandma’s House” was issued as part of the American Treasures series.
9. She was a self-taught artist
Grandma Moses had no formal training in art and was completely self-taught. She learned by experimenting with different materials and techniques, and by studying the works of other artists. Her lack of formal training allowed her to develop a unique style that was not constrained by traditional rules of art. Her paintings were characterized by a childlike innocence and a whimsical sense of humor, which made them accessible and appealing to a wide audience.
10. She was a beloved public figure
Grandma Moses was a beloved public figure who was admired by people around the world. She was known for her down-to-earth personality and her humble attitude towards her success. She remained active in the art world until her death at the age of 101, and continued to create new paintings well into her 90s. Her legacy as a pioneering folk artist and trailblazer for women continues to inspire new generations of artists and art enthusiasts today.
Grandma Moses was a remarkable American folk artist whose paintings captured the beauty and simplicity of rural life in the early 20th century. Her unique style and perspective made her a beloved public figure and her work continues to inspire new generations of artists and art enthusiasts. From her humble beginnings as a farmwife in upstate New York, she rose to become one of the most celebrated artists of her time. Her artwork has been featured in major museums, on postage stamps, and in Hollywood movies. She was a self-taught artist who learned through experimentation and observation, and her paintings reflected her childlike innocence and whimsical sense of humor. Her legacy as a pioneering folk artist and trailblazer for women continues to be celebrated and admired today.