SANTA FE
Tennessee’s attorney general is objecting to a proposed settlement of a lawsuit involving the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe and Fisk University, contending it violates the law.
Under the terms of a settlement, the museum would acquire a 1927 oil painting by O’Keeffe, Radiator Building — Night, New York, for $7.5 million. The painting is part of a 101-piece collection of 20th century art that O’Keeffe donated to the historically Black university from the estate of her husband, Alfred Stieglitz.
Davidson County, Tenn., Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle ruled earlier this year that no paintings from the collection could be sold, saying the works were donated on the condition they be used for education.
Attorney General Robert Cooper said the settlement contradicts that ruling and could have a “chilling effect” on other donors who might fear the conditions of their donations would be ignored.
But Saul Cohen, chairman of the museum’s board, said Cooper does not grasp the distinction between a sale and the settlement of a lawsuit.
“If this were a sale, it would violate the court’s order and would involve a lot more money,” he said. “The settlement is an effort on the part of both parties to turn a lose-lose situation into a win-win situation.”
