    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [January 16, 2009]
    [Page 1580]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Death of Andrew Wyeth
    January 16, 2009

        Laura and I deeply mourn the death of
    American painter Andrew Wyeth.
        Mr. Wyeth captured America in his paintings of his native
    Pennsylvania and Maine.
        Mr. Wyeth was no stranger to White House recognitions. He received
    the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963. President Nixon sponsored an
    exhibition of Andrew Wyeth's paintings at the White House. In 1990, my
    father presented Mr. Wyeth the
    Congressional Gold Medal. And in 2007, I awarded Mr. Wyeth the National
    Medal of Arts in recognition of his lifetime achievement and
    contribution to American arts and culture.
        Laura and I are fortunate to have known
    Andrew Wyeth and to have had the pleasure of enjoying his work. In 2005,
    Andrew and his wife Betsy presented to the White
    House his painting, ``Jupiter,'' which is displayed in the Family
    Sitting Room in the Residence.
        On behalf of the American people, Laura and I
    offer our sincere condolences to Betsy and the
    Wyeth family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.