Surely, a huge money-maker for the MFA, and rightly so, bringing two of the most iconic artists of the 20th. century together in one splendid and very entertaining exhibition. When Susan and I went, the galleries were filled to capacity, even though there was timed entry.
I must admit to looking forward to O'Keeffe, rather than Moore, but as usual with many exhibitions, you learn a great deal to change your perceptions about an artist. And although I can't say that I respond to Moore with the same awe O'Keeffe inspires, I have a great deal more (pun) respect.
A large blog for a huge exhibition. Be patient.
And don't forget to click on an image to enlarge it, if you wish.
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| Moore: Working Model for Three Piece No. 3: Vertebrae, 1968 |
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| O'Keeffe: Ram's Head, Blue Morning Glory 1938 |
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| O'Keeffe: Horizontal Horse's or Mule's Skull with Feather,1936 |
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| O'Keefe: Red Hills and Bones, 1941 |
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Barbara Hepworth, British, 1903-1975
Rock Form (Porthcurno), 1964 |
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Brett Weston, American, 1911-1993
Knot in Tree Trunk, 1970 |
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| O'Keeffe: Shell No. 2, 1928 |
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| detail of above |
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| O'Keeffe: Calla Lily in Tall Glass-No. 2, 1923 |
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| O'Keeffe: Shell and Old Shingle No. II, 1926 |
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| Moore: Reclining Figure, 1959-64 |
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| O'Keeffe: Canna Leaves, 1925 |
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Bill Brandt, British, 1904-1983
Belgravia, London, 1951 |
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| O'Keeffe: Autumn Leaves-Lake George, NY, 1924 |
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| Moore: Group of Shelterers during an Air Raid, 1941 |
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| Recreation of Moore studio |
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| Moore: three small pieces |
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| Moore: Sculpture Settings by the Seal, 1950 |
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| Moore: Atom Piece (Working Model for Nuclear Energy), 1964-65 |
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| Recreation of O'Keefe studio |
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O'Keeffe: Cliffs Beyond Abiquiu, Dry Waterfall, 1943
In spite of my passion for very strong color, this is such a masterpiece of
muted and subtle effect; perhaps even more beautiful than the actual live scene.
Compare this with White Iris further down. |
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| O'Keeffe: In the Patio I, 1946 |
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| O'Keeffe: Black Place I, 1944 |
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| O'Keeffe: Black Place II, 1945 |
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| Moore: Working Model for Oval with Points, 1968-69, Susan |
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| Moore: Working Model for Mirror Knife Edge, 1976 |
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| detail |
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| Moore: Mother and Child, 1968 |
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| Moore: Stringed Ball, 1939 |
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| O'Keeffe: Feather and Brown Leaf, 1935 |
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| Moore: Bird Basket, 1939 |
qw
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O'Keeffe: White Iris, 1930
This painting is so beautiful, it could almost be called trite.
Or kitsch. But it is beautiful |
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O'Keeffe: Abstraction, 1946
O'Keeffe only produced 3 sculptures, two of which are in the exhibit. |
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O'Keeffe: Series I White and Blue Flower Shapes, 1919
O'Keeffe claimed that none of her flower paintings had any sexual overtones,
but, ahem, maybe I just have a dirty mind. |
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| O'Keeffe: Leaf Motif, No. 2, 1924 |
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Moore: Helmet, 1939-40
I think Moore saw Munch's The Scream just before sculpting this. |
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| Moore: Thin Reclining Figure, 1979-80 |
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O'Keeffe: Deer's Skull with Pedernal, 1936
I am not sure why this is titled "with Pedernal",
'Pedernal' is the name of a mesa in New Mexico |
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| O'Keeffe: Fishhook from Hawai'i, No. 2, 1939 |
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| detail |
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A monumental exhibit. It is exhausting to think of the effort it took to
bring all those sculptures into the museum, and the collaboration
involved between so many art institutions.
Bravo, MFA! It is always a gift to visit you. |
