Auratum Lilies c. 1938

Minnetta Good made this lithograph, Auratum Lilies, sometime before 1946. I can imagine Minnetta in her studio, arranging and rearranging the lilies just so. It must have been an act of love and quiet contemplation. Look at how the light catches the petals. The velvety blacks of the lithographic ink create such rich textures. It's like she’s chasing after a dream. She captures the ephemeral beauty of the flower. I love the way the composition balances the delicacy of the petals with the solidity of the book and artichoke. The background shimmers with soft grays which push the lilies forward. You can see echoes of Georgia O'Keeffe in the floral abstraction. There is also a nod to the still life tradition of artists like Giorgio Morandi. It's as if Minnetta is in conversation with them across time, riffing on their themes, adding her own voice.