O’Keefe proof print, “Black Iris”
This is one of three proof prints I recently bought at an Estate Sale in Canaan, CT. All are by Georgia O’Keefe. Unsigned( of course) printers proofs. Silkscreen? The other titles are “Sunflower” and “Blue and Green Music.”
Image size is 14” x 11 1/2”. Paper size is 20” x 17 1/2”.
I know nothing about it.
Auction House
Yes
Dear Ann,
Thank you for your help and patience.
The presented object appears to be a lithograph in colors on paper with the measurements of 20” x 17 1/2”. The print depicts a flower and is titled in pencil "Black Iris". This print was made after a painting by Georgia O'Keefe (https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/489813). Because of the fields with the test colors, this is a proof print before a larger edition. There is no authetificated print of the Black Iris painting by O'Keefe known. It is questionable if this is a print by O'Keefe or after the painting by another artist. The handwriting reminds me more or less of the handwriting of O'Keefe but this is a weak argument for attribution.
Comparable objects were recently not offered and sold on the international auction market.
This piece is in good condition and there is no serious damage visible in the images provided.
Fair market estimation for an authenticated print would be between 500 to 1.000 USD.
This estimate is based on actual recent past recorded auction sales of comparable items. Retail "asking prices" can be higher and may vary.
With kind regards,
George
Dear Ann,
Thank you for the email. I attach a Wikipedia link to the original painting https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Iris_(painting). This additional information could be researched in an authentication process here on Mearto or through a collection specialized in the works of Georgia O'Keeffe.
With kind regards,
George
Hi George. Thanks so much for the appraisal. Your research added a lot to what I know about these prints. SO helpful! It also raised some questions and comments .
Here goes-
The link provided to the Metropolitan Museum doesn't work and I'd really love to be able to see where it was going to take me. Would you mind taking a look and seeing if there's a working link available?
Also, in terms of the auction sale of a similar object it wasn't clear, in the next to last paragraph- "not sold and offered" I'm wondering, was it sold? If so, at what price? I'd like to consider sending these prints to that auction house since they may have previous knowledge of this (non) edition. Can you give me that information please?
And finally, about the verification, my prints don't meet the criteria for following that avenue since they're valued lower. Do you have a suggestion for how I might learn more about the prints- and the potential of the hand-writing being by the artist herself?
Thank you again for being so helpful! Ann