Georgia O'Keeffe: Nature and Abstraction

by Richard D. Marshall, Achille Bonito Oliva, Yvonne Scott

Georgia O’ Nature and Abstraction –published for the exhibition at Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin–explores O’Keeffe’s method of transforming known or recognizable objects into painted abstractions that express the essential elements of form, color, and allusion. This catalog presents O’Keeffe’s oeuvre through a selection of paintings that display her penchant for abstract forms derived from her personal observation of the natural world. It displays the development of her aesthetic vocabulary, as well as it’s evolution–as seen through her later work which she created well into the 1970s. Also presented are examples of O’Keeffe’s personal inspirations, such as flowers, trees, dried bones, and aerial perspectives, as well as her favorite places, such as New York City and New Mexico.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our trip to Santa Fe has inspired me to pick up more picks about Georgia O’Keefe. This catalogue from an exhibit in Ireland and Canada includes a really interesting article comparing O’Keefe’s paintings to some of her predecessors and contemporaries including Rothko, Monet, and Dove. A very interesting and thought- provoking overview of O’Keefe’s works focused on her abstractions and their connection to the land.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic collection of paintings by Georgia O'Keeffe. Really a beautiful book.

Of the essays, I liked the first best. So if you're interested in knowing more, I'd suggest reading that one, looking at the pictures in the other two, and then reading the chronology at the end. Also be sure to read the quotes by some of her paintings, well worth it and have pointed me to another book I want to read.

[Jamil · Rating 3 out of 5]

i was surprised by some of her colors in this book, some reds and yellows that i hadn't seen in her other paintings before. there are a couple paintings of what i guess is heat lightning over the desert that are really cool.

[Cristiana Pagliarusco]

thanks to Stefano