Grandma Moses

Anna Mary Robertson Moses, known to the world as Grandma Moses, was born on September 7, 1860, and became a celebrated American folk artist. Her artistic journey began remarkably late, as she took up painting seriously at the age of seventy-eight. This late-blooming talent serves as an inspiring testament to the idea that it is never too late to pursue one's passions.

Grandma Moses gained significant recognition during the 1950s, a period that saw her featured on the cover of Time Magazine in 1953. Her life and work were the subjects of various television programs and a biographical documentary that was nominated for an Oscar in 1950. In 1952, she published her autobiography, titled My Life's History, which provided insight into her extraordinary life.

Before her rise to fame, Moses worked as a live-in housekeeper for fifteen years, starting at the tender age of twelve. It was during this time that an employer recognized her artistic potential and provided her with drawing materials. After marrying, she and her husband began their life together in Virginia, working on farms before returning to the Northeastern United States in 1905, where they settled in Eagle Bridge, New York. They had ten children, five of whom survived infancy, and Moses initially expressed her creativity through embroidery until arthritis limited her ability to do so.

In her obituary published by The New York Times in 1961, Grandma Moses was celebrated for her simple realism and nostalgic depictions of rural life. Her ability to capture the essence of seasonal changes and farm life resonated with many, earning her a devoted following. Described as a lively woman with mischievous gray eyes and a sharp wit, she charmed those around her, balancing her playful nature with a stern demeanor when necessary.

Her artwork has been showcased in numerous museum exhibitions worldwide and has been widely commercialized, appearing on greeting cards and other merchandise. In 2006, her painting Sugaring Off, created in 1943, achieved a remarkable auction price of one million three hundred sixty thousand dollars at Christie's New York, setting a record for the artist.