Three original paintings by renowned Chadds Ford artist Jamie Wyeth, son of Andrew Wyeth and grandson of N.C. Wyeth, were destroyed in a fire in a Maine village last week, writes Sopan Deb for The New York Times.

The fire broke out on Sept. 27 shortly before 11 PM at The Dip Net restaurant in Port Clyde, Maine. The fire spread quickly and soon engulfed other establishments, including an art gallery that was displaying the Wyeth paintings. The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

“It’s the heart of the town. The general store is where everyone gathers. It is a terrible loss,” said Wyeth.

The three Wyeth artworks that were lost in the fire are “Snapper,” “With Green Peppers,” and “Red Tail Hawk.” Additionally, a recently acquired piece from N.C. Wyeth was also destroyed.

The Wyeths are a well-known artist dynasty from the Chadds Ford area. Andrew Wyeth was one of the most famous realist painters of the 20th century, while N.C. Wyeth was a renowned painter and illustrator.

The family has been tied to the Port Clyde area for over a century after N.C. Wyeth bought a summer cottage he named Eight Bells in 1920. Betsy Wyeth, Jamie’s mother, also purchased two islands in the area, Allen and Benner.

Read more about Jamie Wyeth’s painting and the fire in The New York Times.

_______