Secret Andrew Wyeth Art Works Reportedly Sold for Millions

NEW YORK — A secret collection of 240 works by artist Andrew Wyeth depicting a blonde woman and her daughter that he had planned to keep hidden until his death was sold Tuesday, an art expert said.

The New York Times reported in today’s editions that the works by Wyeth, 69, were painted at his home in Chadds Ford, Pa., between 1970 and 1985. All but one depict a blonde, blue-eyed woman named Helga, believed to be a neighbor, painted clothed and nude. Helga’s daughter, Carme, is believed to be the subject of the remaining painting.

Works to Be Published

The paintings’ existence was made public Tuesday by Jeffrey Schaire, editor of Art and Antiques magazine. Photographs of some of the works, which include drawings and tempera and watercolor paintings, will be published in the September issue of the magazine.

The secret collection was purchased by Leonard Andrews of Newtown Square, Pa. The New York Times said the sale price was “multimillions of dollars.”

Schaire said Wyeth had planned to keep the paintings secret until his death because he did not want public reaction to interrupt his train of thought, the newspaper said.

“He told me he’d been hiding these paintings, and he said he would keep them hidden until he died,” Schaire was quoted as saying.

However, Wyeth broke his vow when he came down with influenza and, thinking he might die, told Betsy, his wife of 46 years, about the paintings.

When asked what she thought the paintings “were all about,” Mrs. Wyeth said, “Love,” Schaire said.

The Times said Andrews plans to show the collection at the National Gallery in Washington from May through Labor Day of 1987.

The reclusive artist, whose somber portraits often depict a figure looking at open fields or barren hills, first disclosed the existence of secret paintings in a September, 1985, interview with Art and Antiques but did not disclose the subject matter, the newspaper said.