Grandma Moses
Grandma Moses (1860-1961) was an American folk artist. She started painting when
she was in her 70's and remained active until near her death at age 101. She
never had an art lesson. Grandma Moses painted simple but realistic scenes of
rural life. These colorful and lively pictures were based on memories of her own
youth in the late 1800's. Critics have praised her work for its freshness,
innocence, and humanity.
Grandma Moses was born Anna Mary Robertson in Washington County, New York. She
was married to Thomas Salmon Moses in 1887. For many years, she embroidered
pictures on canvas. She began to paint when arthritis made it difficult for her
to hold embroidery needles. An art collector first discovered her paintings in
the 1930's. Her autobiography, My Life's History, was published in 1952.
