Sue Canterbury

The draw here is in its subtitle; most will be surprised to discover that Georgia O’Keeffe had a sister—an accomplished painter and printmaker herself—at all. This slim book essentially serves as a catalog supporting the artist’s first major retrospective, which premiered at the Dallas Museum of Art (where author Sue Canterbury is Associate Curator of American Art) and will continue on a national tour. The narrative, with contributions from several art historians, reads like museum wall text: resolutely on topic, focused on Ida’s artistic style and employment, notably a series of teaching jobs that may have prevented her from devoting more time to her art. Canterbury is faithful to her limited source material, offering the reader a life story that is clearly accurate but also somewhat dry. Save a flirtatious correspondence with Alfred Stieglitz, Georgia’s husband and supporter, Ida chiefly comes to life through the abundant and vivid reproductions of her art (and some charming photographs). Absent more personal context, she never quite escapes footnote status, but her work—and existence—will appeal to interested readers.… (más)