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1st item: Pencil on laid paper portrait drawing of the head of artist Paull Anderson depicted in three-quarter profile. Initialed "A.W.," lower right, in reference to Andrew Wyeth but likely by another hand. Housed under glass in a modern wood frame with white line and white mat. Sheet: 17 3/4" H x 15 3/4" W. Frame: 27 3/8" H x 21 5/16" W. Also includes a photocopy of a Christmas letter written by Betsy Wyeth and addressed to Anderson and his wife June "with love [from] Andy and Betsy [Wyeth]," plus a note on Paul[l] Anderson Wounded Warrior Project stationery that reads "Pencil / ''My Brother Paull'' / by / Andrew Wyeth," possibly in reference to this drawing. 2nd item: John Paull Anderson (Massachusetts/South Carolina, c. 1938-2022) pencil on laid paper half-length portrait drawing of Andrew Wyeth wearing a shirt with a distinctive botanical motif, plus additional face study. Inscribed "Betsy''s Guy! Love JP [John Paull]," lower center. Unframed. 24" H x 17 7/8" W". Lot includes an informational booklet with list of exhibitors featured in the Spring 1972 Cloistered Artist''s Guild of the United States (CAGUS) exhibition, pamphlets pertaining to the CAGUS Autumn 1972 traveling exhibition and to Anderson''s 1975 exhibition at the Columbia Museum of Art, Columbia, S.C, and a copy of Life Magazine, April 8, 1973, Vol. 8, with articles concerning CAGUS and Anderson. Note: John Paull Anderson was born in Massachusetts and drafted into the Navy''s submarine service. He completed four war patrols in Vietnam. He was personally honored by President Jimmy Carter as a Vietnam-era veteran for his "distinguished service to his nation in time of war and peace." He made the first three Cold War patrols aboard the world''s first ballistic missile submarine, U.S.S. George Washington, and later remained active in Submarine Veterans'' Organizations. In 1965, despite evidence suggesting his innocence, Anderson was convicted of the murder of his first wife and imprisoned the following year in South Carolina. Anderson fought the conviction until, ten years later, the state and federal courts overturned it. While in prison Anderson created drawings of prison life and his fellow inmates and, in 1966, began a correspondence with Andrew Wyeth. Wyeth encouraged and guided Anderson''s artistic development and provided both technical criticism as well as pencils, paints, books, and other artistic tools. Together, Wyeth and Anderson worked to support imprisoned artists. Wyeth lent a group of his paintings for a national exhibition of prisoners'' art and, additionally, judged entries and assisted in making awards. During Anderson''s confinement, the two artists, along with Richard Gardner, a Navy friend of Anderson''s, launched the Cloistered Artist''s Guild of the United States. Originally a guild for imprisoned artists, by 1973 the group included approximately 2000 members including prisoners, mental hospital patients, residents of health care facilities, and even nuns and monks in 43 U.S. states, Canada, and Mexico. After his release in 1975, Anderson hitchhiked to Chadds Fords, Pennsylvania to meet Wyeth in person for the first time. Anderson would make regular visits to see Andrew and his wife, Betsy, and the three, along with Anderson''s second wife, June, became good friends and Wyeth continued to guide Anderson''s artistic development. A brochure for a 1975 exhibition of Anderson''s work at the Columbia Museum of Art, Columbia, SC, features a version of Wyeth''s portrait with the addition of a chain tethering Anderson to a palm tree, a South Carolina state symbol. As a Massachusettsan, Anderson was interested in John F. Kennedy and the Kennedy family. He received a commission from Jaqueline Kennedy to produce a portrait of President Kennedy. According to his 2022 obituary, he also received commissions from South Carolina politician Soloman Blatt, Sr., Georgia politician George L. Smith, and King Khalid of Saudi Arabia. South Carolina Governor John C. West appointed him Carolina Scribe and to The Order of the Palmetto. In addition to drawing and painting, Anderson was a sculptor and author. In 2021 he published the autobiographical book "Sweet June and Paull: Their Love Story," which records stories from his life and that of his wife. Sources: "Jury to Get Anderson Murder Case Today," The Bee, (Danville, VA), December 20, 1965; "Paull Anderson: Art From Prison," in American Artist, February 1979, pp. 56-59, 104; John Paull Anderson obituary, Weaver Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Bristol, TN, July 30, 2022.
CONDITION: Both items in overall very good condition. 1st item with tape residue to edges en verso and faint, even toning to sheet within sight area.