Anna Mary Robertson “Grandma” Moses (1860-1961)) was an American folk artist whose vibrant and endearing depiction of rural American life catapulted her to international fame in the mid-20th century. Born in Greenwich, New York, Moses spent much of her life immersed in the agricultural lifestyle that would later become the central theme of her work. She married Thomas Salmon Moses in 1887, and together they worked on farms, first in Virginia and later in Eagle Bridge, New York. It was not until her late seventies, when arthritis hindered her ability to embroider, that Moses turned to painting as her primary creative outlet.
Grandma Moses’ artistic journey began in earnest at the age of 78, and her work quickly garnered attention for its nostalgic portrayal of pastoral scenes. Her paintings are characterized by their use of bright colors, keen observation of seasonal changes, and a charming, narrative quality that captures the simplicity and beauty of country living. Moses’ art resonated with a public yearning for the comfort of an idealized past, particularly during the turbulent times of the Great Depression and World War II.
In 1938, art collector Louis J. Caldor discovered Moses’ paintings in a drugstore window and purchased them all, marking the beginning of her public recognition. The following year, her work was included in an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, and in 1940, she had her first solo exhibition at the Galerie St. Etienne in New York. Her work was met with critical acclaim and commercial success, leading to a prolific period where she produced over 1,500 works.
One of Grandma Moses’ distinguished pieces, “In the Camp,” crafted in 1950, stands as a testament to her talent for weaving together scenes brimming with life and emotional depth. This masterpiece captures an intimate moment between two figures separated by a riverbank, under the glow of a full moon. On one side, a figure attends to a dinner pot over an open flame beside a moored boat, while on the opposite bank, another figure engages from afar. The scene is set against a backdrop of tree-lined banks, rendered in Moses’ characteristic style that features a flattened perspective and the use of bright, unmodulated colors to evoke a sense of timelessness and universality. This work, which was once housed in the Hammer Galleries in New York, is meticulously cataloged in Otto Kallir’s definitive book on the artist, listed as figure 928.
Moses’ legacy extends beyond her paintings. She was featured on the cover of Time Magazine in 1953, and her 100th birthday was celebrated as “Grandma Moses Day” by New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller. Her autobiography, “My Life’s History,” published in 1952, offers an intimate glimpse into the life of a woman who began her artistic career in her later years and became an inspiration for generations to come.
Grandma Moses passed away at the age of 101, leaving behind a body of work that continues to be celebrated for its charm, historical value, and representation of American folk culture. Her paintings are held in major collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Art Institute of Chicago, and her influence on the field of folk art remains profound.
