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Georgia O'Keeffe
Clam and Mussel, 1926
Georgia O'Keeffe
Clam and Mussel, 1926
Oil on canvas, 9 x 7 inches
Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
Gift of The Georgia O'Keeffe Foundation
2006.5.107

In this small painting, a mussel shell rests inside a clam shell. The inner sides of both shells are visible to the viewer. The clam shell is light in color. Its hinge touches the left side of the canvas. The mussel shell is darker in color, and much of its visible inner side reflects its characteristic pearlesque luster.
DETAILS

Catalogue Raisonné Number

534

Inscriptions

Inscriptions: Stretcher:
1. August 1926 / Georgia O'Keeffe" (graphite)
2. "Zinc W / Shape 2" (graphite)
3. O'Keeffe B" [B in circle] (George Of, graphite)
4. "111 [in circle] #2 (unidentified hand, graphite)
Backing:
1. "New York -- N.Y." (AIC label, black ink)
2. "Dark Shell" (Alfred Stieglitz, graphite)
3. "Georgia O'Keeffe...Gallery / Exhibition 1927"
[inscription obscured by label] (Alfred Stieglitz, graphite)
4. AAP2
5. AAP9

Provenance

Estate of the artist, 1986 Georgia O'Keeffe 1986 Abiquiu/New Mexico

Exhibition History

1927 New York (Intimate Gallery), among nos. 1-6, as The Sea -- Shell
1943 Chicago, no 19
1987 Washington, no. 65
2008 Santa Fe (O'Keeffe) Permanent Collection (Hartley)
2008 Santa Fe (O'Keeffe) GOK and Ansel Adams; all venues
2010 Santa Fe (O'Keeffe) Permanent Collection (Rothenberg: Moving in Place)
2011 Santa Fe (O'Keeffe) Permanent Collection (Robert Henri)
2012 Santa Fe (O'Keeffe) Permanent Collection (Jaune Quick-to-See Smith)
2012 Santa Fe (O'Keeffe) Permanent Collection (Faraway)
CREDITS & RIGHTS

© Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, Gift


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ADMINISTRATIVE
INFORMATION

Source System ID

1001