Anna Mary Robertson Moses, known by her nickname Grandma Moses, was one of the most famous folk artists of the 20th century. She began painting in earnest at the age of 78.

She was born in Greenwich, New York, on September 7, 1860. Her parents were farmers. At the age of twelve Anna Mary began earning her living as a hired girl at homes near her family farm. In 1887 she married a farm worker Thomas Moses. The couple settled on a farm in Virginia. Beginning in 1932 Anna Mary made embroidered pictures of yarn for friends and family. By the age of 76 Moses developed arthritis, which made embroidering painful so decided to try painting. At first she copied illustrated postcards but gradually she began to re-create scenes from her childhood as in "Apple Pickers" (c.1940), "Sugaring-Off in the Maple Orchard" (1940), "Catching the Thanksgiving Turkey" (1943), and "Over the River to Grandma’s House" (c.1944).

President Harry S. Truman presented her with the Women's National Press Club trophy Award for outstanding accomplishment in art in 1949.

Throughout her lifetime Grandma Moses produced about 2,000 paintings, most of them on masonite board. Her works have been shown and sold in the United States and abroad and have been marketed on greeting cards and other merchandise. Moses' paintings are displayed in the collections of many museums. "Sugaring Off" was sold for US $1.2 million in 2006.

Grandma Moses died at age 101 on December 13, 1961.

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More Info: en.wikipedia.org