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The Waterfowl Festival’s Masters Gallery at the Academy Art Museum, November 12-14, will offer an unprecedented opportunity to view or purchase a painting by one of America’s greatest artists and illustrators, N. C. Wyeth (1882-1945). “Every year, we promise that the Masters Gallery will present the best of the best from acclaimed nature and wildlife artists,” said Waterfowl Festival Executive Director Judy Price. “But this year really is extraordinary.”

The Wyeth painting has an unusual title—The Man’s Query Was So Startlingly Abrupt That It Caught Slim With His Guard Down. Created in 1916 as an illustration for a Collier’s Weekly story, “The Confidence Game,” the scene depicts a Canadian Mounted Policeman sternly looking down from his horse on a dejected man leaning against the other side of a fence.

The oil on canvas painting measures 32” by 40“ unframed, and 40” by 48” framed. It has been in the same family since the early 1900s and only recently became available for purchase. “This is a wonderful opportunity for museums or collectors of museum-quality work to add an outstanding piece to their collections,” said Price.

For those wishing an advance opportunity to view or purchase the artwork, the Academy Art Museum is a featured stop on the Festival’s Premiere Night Artful Feast tasting tour for donors on Thursday, November 11. Signature cuisines of five cities are offered, a different course at each Festival art gallery, with the Masters Gallery serving New Orleans French Quarter Desserts. Premiere Night pricing starts at $100 per person.

Additionally, in honor of its 40th Year, the Waterfowl Festival has selected David A. Maass of Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the Featured Master Artist.

Maass is considered one of the foremost wildlife artists in the United States. He has been actively painting waterfowl and game birds for more than forty years. An exhibitor during the Waterfowl Festival’s early years, he has returned on numerous occasions at various venues, including as the Federal Duck Stamp winning artist in 1982, his second win of that competition.

Along with his original paintings, Maass will bring giclée prints of five images, offering affordable options to all collectors. He also will be on hand at the Gallery during the Festival and the Premiere Night Party to sign copies of his book, Waterfowl of North America.

The Masters Gallery presents landscapes, wildlife and waterfowl paintings, and sculpture from artists, deceased or contemporary, who are acclaimed worldwide as masters of the genre. The pieces are gathered for the event from collections all across the country.

In addition to Wyeth and Maass, artists whose work will be offered for view and sale include Robert Abbett, Henry Adamson, Frank Benson, Eldridge Hardie, Bob Kuhn, Lanford Monroe, Chet Reneson, Brett Smith, Bart Walter and others.

A returning feature from last year will be the Nature in Miniature Gallery. This annex to the Masters Gallery offers a selection of smaller works from contemporary nature artists who have been specially invited to participate in this exhibition and sale. “These are little gems,” explained Price, “perfect for filling a niche or creating a small focal point in a collection.”

Participating artists at the Nature in Miniature Gallery include Edward Aldrich, Terry Isaac, Jim Killen, Terry Lee, Bruce Miller, Tara Moore, Wanda Mumm, Jerry Raedeke, John Ruthven, Lindsay Scott, John Seerey-Lester, Morten Solberg and more.

The Masters Gallery, with the N. C. Wyeth painting, and the Nature in Miniature Gallery will be open during all three days of the Waterfowl Festival. General admission ticket prices are $10, good for all three days of the event.

The 2010 Waterfowl Festival will be held in Easton, November 12, 13 & 14. For or tickets, to volunteer or to make a donation and attend Premiere Night, contact the Waterfowl Festival office at 410-822-4567 or visit its website, www.waterfowlfestival.org.