Georgia O’Keefe, “Poppy,” 1927
Here’s one more collection of art for you, in celebration of National Women’s History Month. While in St. Petersburg, I visited the MFA twice. On the second visit, I had time to focus on a special exhibition, “Creative Freedom | Women as Decorative Arts Entrepreneurs and Connoisseurs, c. 1900-1940.” In other words, the exhibit included splendid works of art by women as well as works collected by women. According to the museum’s website,
“The pioneering spirit of these women is the same spirit that built this museum. Our founder, Margaret Acheson Stuart (1898-1980), was a woman of this era, whose passion and independence created the legacy we all share.”
As you’ve no doubt noticed, when I take photos in museums, I try to include the information cards. It’s definitely a memory aid, and it’s particularly helpful when, as in this case, the museum does not have its collection online, and I can’t go back and gather information from their website. Also, with a plethora of photos, one can simply let the cards do most of the talking—not that anybody needs to read them to enjoy these beautiful works.
Unsurprisingly, the exhibit included Tiffany lamps and information about Clara Woolcott Driscoll and the Tiffany Girls.
Among other learning experiences, I discovered Marguerite Zorach and realized that a woman, Mariah Longworth Nichols Storer, founded Rookwood Pottery, which I’ve always loved (well, the names refers to ravens, after which I named one of my fictional heroes).
I also learned that it was a woman, Rose Cecil O’Neill, who created the Kewpie Doll and made a highly successful business with her invention. The rattles and teething rings were part of that business. This same woman created a number of works for the Suffragist Movement. The example below, of one of her postcards, is from the collection of the Missouri History Museum.
And finally, some impressive works in glass. The yellow vase deserved a 360° view. I apologize for the unsteadiness of my camera work.
