After the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, DC, on September 11, 2001, Jamie Wyeth was approached by the editor of the New York Observer to provide an illustration for the newspaper. At first, Wyeth was hesitant. But when the editor mentioned the work of N.C. Wyeth, who illustrated influential patriotic posters that advertised War Bonds and the need for blood donations during both World Wars, the grandson of the great illustrator Jamie Wyeth was persuaded.

Once he began work on the painting, he was completely absorbed in the project, and it was completed in three days. On the Jamie Wyeth Editions Web site, Wyeth stated, "Now I know how my grandfather must have felt doing all of those War Bond illustrations. When something of this magnitude happens, you feel helpless. This gave me some purpose. At least I felt I contributed in some way."

The watercolor and gouache painting, titled September 11th, is based on the famous photograph taken at the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II, but instead of soldiers, Wyeth's painting depicts a volunteer, a medical attendant, a firefighter, and a police officer raising the American flag among the rubble of what used to be the World Trade Center.

	James Wyeth September 11th, 2001 Combined media, 11" x 18" Private collection
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Compare Wyeth's painting to the Iwo Jima photograph. What are the similarities and differences between the two works of art?

	Joe Rosenthal Flag raising on Iwo Jima, February 23, 1945 Photograph
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How Art is Linked to History and Society

For years, artists have created works inspired by the social, political, and cultural environment in which they live. American artist Andy Warhol, for example, depicted Campbell's soup cans, Marilyn Monroe, and Coca-Cola logos, commenting on a consumerist society surrounded by images, icons, and advertisements.

Scores of artists have commented on issues related to war, such as Pablo Picasso in his famous painting Guernica, Francisco de Goya in his portrayals of armed conflict during the Peninsular Wars, Kathe Kollwitz and her depictions of the atrocities of World War I, and Ben Shahn in his paintings of the trauma of World War II.

	Pablo Picasso Guernica, 1937 Oil on canvas, 349.3 x 776.6 cm Museo Nacional Reina Sofía
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Artists have also depicted landscapes, forever recording on canvas a constantly changing America. Artists from the 19th century Hudson River School, such as Thomas Cole, were inspired by the feeling of optimism obtained from exploring the rich wilderness and immense amount of natural resources available in the New World. Often the paintings were idyllic in nature, meaning they depicted an idealistically peaceful life in rural country.

	Thomas Cole The Course of Empire: The Pastoral or Arcadian State, 1834 Oil on canvas, 39¼ x 63 ¼" The New York Historical Society

Artists have also commented on what they experience in everyday life. French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec portrayed society and culture in late 19th-century Paris, and world-renowned illustrator Norman Rockwell, touched on themes such as civil rights, the introduction of radio and television, automobile and airplane travel, poverty, and the exploration of space-issues particularly important during the mid-20th century.

Wyeth Paints John F. Kennedy

Jamie Wyeth, born in 1946 in Wilmington, Delaware, has experienced living in the countryside, New York City, and a secluded island in Maine. His work has captured not only everyday activities in rural America, but also major political events and important moments in history. His work reveals an artist capable of observing and capturing his environment and the people within it in meaningful ways. Many of his observations have resulted in works of art that also act as historical records.

Wyeth was approached to paint a portrait of John F. Kennedy after he was assassinated. Although he does not like to accept commissions, an apprehensive Wyeth finally decided to agree to the task. But since he likes working with models, how would he paint a portrait of a person who was deceased? Instead of merely painting Kennedy's likeness by looking at photographs, Wyeth sketched his brothers Senator Robert F. Kennedy and Senator Edward F. Kennedy while on campaign tours and watched endless hours of family and archival films to get more of a sense of who Kennedy was while he was alive.

In the end, the Kennedys were not pleased. After studying his films and recognizing the difficulties of political decisions, particularly when the aftermaths of the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Bay of Pigs still loomed, Wyeth created a portrait that was almost too human. He had illustrated an indecisive man burdened by the enormous risk and power of leading a country. It was decided that such portrayals were not to be hung at the White House, and instead, the painting hangs in the Kennedy Library in Boston.

	James Wyeth Portrait of JFK, 1967 Oil on Canvas, 16" x 29" Collection of the Artist
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Wyeth's Role in Watergate, Space, and More

In the 1960's, Wyeth was granted special clearance to record the events taking place during the Watergate scandal, including scenes in and around the Supreme Court. This was one of the biggest scandals in American history: five men were arrested for breaking into the national headquarters of the Democratic party in the Watergate apartment complex and then-President Richard Nixon resigned as a result of his proven ties to the burglary.

The tense moments in the courtroom were captured by Wyeth in a series of sketches—of the judge, the defendants, the press, and the crowds lined up in the early morning to attend the Supreme Court hearings. Learn more about Watergate on Fact Monster.

	James Wyeth John Erlichman underneath flag, 1974 Pencil on paper, 14" x 11" Collection of the Artist
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In the 1960's, Wyeth was given the honor of participating in "Eyewitness to Space," a program sponsored by the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) and the National Gallery of Art. As a result of the program, Wyeth was able to paint watercolors that would document several spacecraft launches, as well as preparations and other duties conducted by various personnel. Learn more about NASA's programs on NASA KIDS.

	James Wyeth T-Minus 3 Hours 30 Minutes and Counting, 1969 Watercolor on paper, 24" x 31" Collection of the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution
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More recently, Wyeth painted Dawn, The White House, in honor of the 200th anniversary of the White House as the home of all U.S. presidents. He has also provided paintings for White House Christmas cards, including a depiction of former Vice President Al Gore's Labrador retriever in front of the Vice Presidential residence and a painting of the White House during the Reagan Administration.

Often, the role of an artist is to respond to the conditions of the world around them. Jamie Wyeth, with his technically masterful narratives and evocative portrayals of people and events, is certainly an important and celebrated witness to history.

For a detailed chronology of the life of James Wyeth, read this resource provided by the Farnsworth Museum of Art in their Teacher Packet.

Visual Art Vocabulary

Part of the Farnsworth Museum of Art's Teacher Packet, this comprehensive vocabulary list provides definitions to numerous visual art terms.