In The American Grain
Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
Santa Fe, New Mexico
September 24 - January 2, 2005
The Stieglitz circle, named for the famous photographer and husband of
Georgia O'Keeffe, for the artists he patronized and publicized, are the subject
of an exhibit in Santa Fe. The collection is part of that amassed by Duncan
Phillips. It features O'Keeffe, Dove, Hartley and Marin.
Georgia O'Keeffe
When one thinks of Georgia O'Keeffe what immediately comes to mind? Is it
her love of New Mexico? Her large paintings of a single flower? Her pottery work
which she began in her later years?
It was the beautiful landscape of New Mexico that was the determining factor
in O'Keeffe's move west. Like Monet she enjoyed painting outdoors, and weather did
not detour this artist.
One of her many loves was traveling by plane and often she painted the
landscape as she saw it from the plane.
Arthur Dove
Many artists owe a great deal to Arthur Dove. He was a pioneer of abstract art
but moreover he led the battle for visual artists to receive royalties for
reproductions of their art!
Duncan Phillips, the noted art collector and Alfred Stieglitz were both
supporters of Dove.
Phillips, heir to a steel and glass fortune, spent much of his wealth collecting
artwork. In 1921 he opened his Washington, DC, home to the public 3 afternoons
a week, to bring his art collection to a wider audience. This was a huge success
and Phillips ended up purchasing another home. The Phillips Collection is
considered the first permanent museum of Modern Art.
Stieglitz, was a photographer, editor and art dealer. He is widely credited with
being responsible for the popularity of European Avant Garde artwork with the US
public.
Marsden Hartley
The lonely and reclusive Hartley was the subject of a one man exhibit in 1909 by
Stieglitz. At first he experimented with subject matter but turned increasingly
to landscape. Hartley was widely traveled but eventually returned and settled in
his native Maine.
Hartley's final works were considered blunt encompassing block-like structures
and form. The purpose was to show the power and passion of nature.
John Marin
Whistler was a strong influence on Marin, especially during the period from
1905-1910 when the artist lived in Europe. His predilection for the avant-garde
brought him a membership in the Stieglitz circle. His work is not easily defined
because it often changed. Marin is considered one of the best American
watercolorists.
The Museum
"A large part of our mission is to place Georgia O'Keeffe within an historical
context, and to show her work alongside that of her contemporaries. This
exhibition provides a perfect opportunity to highlight O'Keeffe in this manner
and to exhibit some of the best works that were being created by artists of the Stieglitz circle", explains the Director of the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, George
G. King. The Museum opened in 1997 and dedicates itself to perpetuating Georgia
O'Keeffe's legacy.
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