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Georgia O'Keeffe Museum: Access O'Keeffe
Georgia O'Keeffe
Over Blue, 1918
Courtesy of Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester.
Image: okeeffe_CR256_over-blue_869122.jpg
Georgia O'Keeffe
Over Blue, 1918
Pastel on paper, 28 x 22 inches
CR No. 256
Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester: Bequest of Anne G. Whitman, 2006.77
Pastel on paper, 28 x 22 inches
Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester: Bequest of Anne G. Whitman, 2006.77
CR No. 256

Organic forms that resemble draped fabric or curling flower petals fill the frame. At the bottom left of the composition, these forms, which are painted in shades of yellow, orange, and pink, curl backward to reveal a bright blue surface behind.

CR No. 256

Title (1999 Catalogue Raisonné)

Over Blue

Source of title: backing inscription 1, Downtown Gallery Archive, Abiquiú Notebooks.

General Remarks

Not recorded Whitney Archive. Abiquiú Notebooks notes backing inscriptions 1–3. Downtown Gallery Archive dates 1917–18. Abiquiú Notebooks dates 1919. Dated 1918 on basis of backing inscriptions. Completed after June move to New York. (Source: Lynes, 1999)

Inscriptions

Verso: inaccessible. Backing: 1. "Over Blue – 1918" (graphite) 2. OK {5star} (graphite) 3. "Georgia O'Keeffe / 1918" (black ink) 4. Please do not get tape on / O'Keeffe writing – / Unfixed pastel. Handle with / great care. / Thank you – D.B." (Doris Bry, black ink) (Source: Lynes, 1999)

Memorial Art Gallery does not have notes in their files regarding mark #4 in Lynes, 1999. Only the first 3 are documented in their files. (Source: Information provided for Access O'Keeffe by MAG, 2025)

Technique

Pastel

Materials

Pastel on paper

Estate of the artist, 1986; private collection, 1987; Greenberg Van Doren Gallery, St. Louis, Missouri; Deborah Ronnen Fine Art, Rochester, NY; purchased from them by Anne G. Whitman, Rochester, NY, 1994; her bequest to the Gallery in 2006 (Source: MAG, 2025)

Credits & Rights

© Georgia O'Keeffe Museum

Administrative Information

Version History

Core fields last updated 8/26/2026

Last verified by current collection Oct 30 2025

Source System ID

8379

Other IDs

256, Catalogue Raisonné

Conservation

Information is from the most recently submitted report, please contact the current owner to verify updated details.
REPORT NOTES

Information provided for Access O'Keeffe by Memorial Art Gallery in 2025.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

Support: Smooth, tan illustration board with no distinct paper skin(s). The corners, except for the bottom left, are missing. There are punctures at all corners. The illustration board is extremely weak. It is flaking at the edges of the missing corners. The support does not support itself but must be supported when moved from the frame. Media: The pastel media was applied slightly wet and moved about with a smooth cloth or with the hands. It is flaking somewhat, and the small flakes are moving about the surface. There are some very small fractures in the thicker areas. The pastel on the edge has transferred to the spacer. There is a loss of medium at the left center edge, which is shaped like a thumbprint and should be considered by the artist. The pastel media is not consolidated. It appears to be mostly well adhered. However, the insecurity of the support is a major concern. When the mount moves or flexes, the pastel may be dislodged, especially in the thicker areas. The colored pencil medium appears stable. It has the gloss of a wax-bound pencil.