FIRST OFF . . .

Ending almost 17 months of internecine warfare over Georgia O’Keeffe’s $65-million estate, a judge Saturday approved a final settlement of the late artist’s estate that includes formation of a foundation to distribute many of her paintings to museums. O’Keeffe’s longtime companion, John Bruce (Juan) Hamilton, said Saturday, “I think it’s in the best interests of all parties, and certainly of Georgia O’Keeffe’s estate, to not be tied up in years of litigation and extreme costs.” Under the settlement, 42 paintings originally willed to Hamilton will go to the newly formed Georgia O’Keeffe Foundation, which will then sell and distribute them to the nation’s museums. Hamilton will get 24 other paintings. A relative of the artist had contested the will and subsequent codicils, alleging that O’Keeffe had been improperly influenced by Hamilton, 41, her companion and business adviser for 14 years.