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Grandma Moses Paintings Surface
The Bennington Museum is delighted to announce the extraordinary discovery of seven stolen paintings by the famous American self-taught artist, Grandma Moses (Anna Mary Robertson Moses: 1860 - 1961). The paintings were bequeathed to the museum by Mrs. Margaret Carr of Rose Valley, PA. However, they were stolen from Mrs. Carr's home just following her death in 1984 and the museum was never able to take possession of them.
The theft was reported immediately to the Pennsylvania State Police; the Art loss Register of the International Foundation for Art Research in New York City; and the Galerie St. Etienne, NYC, which handles the estate of Grandma Moses. The location of the Grandma Moses paintings remained a mystery until Monday, February 9th when they were delivered to the Bennington Museum from a commercial shipping establishment in Quakertown, PA. Attempts to trace the source of the shipment were unsuccessful. Speaking of the arrival of the paintings, the Bennington Museum's executive director, Steven H. Miller stated: "We are thrilled to finally receive the seven Grandma Moses paintings. Their survival is welcome news and their arrival, while fourteen years late, is a happy event. the pictures have a wonderful history and add to our collection of this popular American artist. The positive outcome of this saga certainly confirms the old saying "Where there's a will there's a way." The paintings were acquired by Margaret Carr from Grandma Moses. Mrs. Carr and her sister, Ruth Garner became friends of the artist and often visited at her home in Eagle Bridge, NY. In addition to the seven paintings, Mrs. Carr bequeathed the museum two paintings by Grandma Moses' son, Forrest King Moses and a sofa used by Grandma Moses, along with personal memorabilia documenting their friendship. The arrival of the paintings at the Bennington Museum on February 9th was completely unanticipated. No advance notice had been given and no evidence of origin accompanied the pictures. Quick research by museum staff immediately determined that the paintings were the stolen ones destined for the museum in 1984. The FBI was alerted to the existence of the paintings, as were the Bennington Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, Mrs. Carr's estate lawyer, the Art Loss Register and the Galerie St. Etienne. The paintings were kept in their two shipping crates and placed in the museum's vault pending further investigation. The museum's ownership of ;the paintings was positively confirmed. The Grandma Moses paintings are typical landscapes scenes reflecting timeless themes of country life so often recorded by the artist. Five of the paintings are small and two are larger. The paintings are oil on masonite and include: "Pull Boys", "The Pond", "Stage Stop", "Vermont", "Autumn", "The Old Inn", and "Country Side." Deborah Anne Federhen, curator of collections at the Bennington Museum noted: "As a group these seven paintings offer a survey of some of Grandma Moses' favorite artistic techniques and subjects, from glitter-encrusted snow scenes to the patchwork fields of the Fall harvest. They combine keen observations of the rural countryside which surrounded her Washington County, NY, farmhouse with reminiscences of her childhood." The paintings will be placed on view at the Bennington Museum where they will be featured in a special exhibition celebrating their discovery. Afterwards they will be integrated into the permanent exhibitions. The Bennington Museum holds the largest collection of art by Grandma Moses, who lived in nearby Eagle Bridge, NY. In addition to paintings, drawings and needlework created by Moses, the museum owns extensive documents material recording her extraordinary life and accomplishments. The museum also features the actual one room nineteenth-century schoolhouse Moses and members of her family attended. The Bennington Museum is located on West Main Street ( Route 9 ) in Bennington, Vermont. The museum is open daily from 9 to 5, with extended hours until 6p.m. from June 1 to October 31. |
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