Georgia
O’Keeffe

Modernist Painter

A life in beauty and bloom

In today’s increasingly fast-paced world, Georgia O’Keeffe’s art is a soothing balm for the soul, offering us moments of respite and reflection amidst the chaos.

Her unparalleled portrayals of flowers, landscapes, and animal bones were both engaging and provocative, imbuing a new sense of wonder and mystery into familiar subjects. These iconic paintings effortlessly bridged two seemingly divergent principles – abstraction and realism – solidifying her status in 20th-century American art.

This biography will navigate the life and work of this determined artist, exploring the personal journey that shaped a life long connection to artistry, and the stillness and subtleties of the natural world.

Georgia O’Keeffe by Alfred Stieglitz, 1919/20 ・ Platinum Print ・ 25.3h x 20.3w (cm) ・ The Art Institute of Chicago (Currently not on View) ・ © The Alfred Stieglitz Collection

"I know now that most people are so closely concerned with themselves that they are not aware of their own individuality. I can see myself, and it has helped me to say what I want to say—in paint."

Early life: A budding talent

Born on November 15, 1887, in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, Georgia Totto O’Keeffe’s early life was shaped by her upbringing on a dairy farm. Here she cultivated a profound bond with the natural world from an early stage. Her artistic passions were ignited by her mother, who introduced her to art, and kindled her enthusiasm by arranging lessons with local watercolorist Sara Mann.

In 1905, O’Keeffe moved to Chicago to pursue studies at the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago. However, her plans were derailed in 1906 due to a battle with typhoid fever. Undeterred, she resumed her studies in 1907 at the Art Students League in New York City. Here, she received guidance from celebrated artists William Merritt Chase and F. Luis Mora.

Throughout these crucial years, O’Keeffe initiated the development of her distinctive style, showing an aptitude for creating expansive compositions that went beyond conventional artistic confines. Despite her promising talent, the young artist struggled to find her place in the male-dominated art world.

Artistic evolution: A creative rebirth

O’Keeffe’s life took a pivotal turn in 1912 when she attended a summer course at the University of Virginia. Here, she was introduced to the innovative ideas of Arthur Wesley Dow, who emphasised the importance of personal expression and the use of line, colour, and shape in creating harmonious compositions. This new approach resonated with O’Keeffe, who began to experiment with abstraction, a style that would come to define her career.

In 1915, O’Keeffe created a series of charcoal drawings that caught the attention of renowned photographer and gallerist Alfred Stieglitz. Recognising her immense talent, Stieglitz exhibited her work at his esteemed 291 Gallery in New York, making O’Keeffe one of the first female artists to be featured there.

In 1918, O’Keeffe moved to New York City, joining its thriving art scene. Her partnership with Stieglitz, both professional and romantic, would prove to be a catalyst for her artistic growth. Stieglitz’s keen eye and unwavering support helped O’Keeffe refine her skills and gain recognition within the male-dominated art world.

It was during this period that O’Keeffe began creating her iconic flower paintings, such as Red Canna (1925-1928) and Black Iris (1926). By magnifying and abstracting her subjects, she invited viewers to contemplate the beauty and complexity of the natural world.

These works captured the public’s imagination, and O’Keeffe soon became one of America’s most celebrated artists.

Poppies, 1950 ・ Oil on Canvas ・ 91.44h x 76.2w (cm) ・ Milwaukee Art Museum, US ・ Gift of Mrs. Harry Lynde Bradley ・ Photo by John R. Glembin ・ © Georgia O'Keeffe Museum / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Lake George Reflection, c.1921-1922 ・ Oil on Canvas ・ Presentable both horizontally and vertically ・ 86.4h x 147.3w (cm) ・ Sold at Christie’s for $12,933,000 (2016) ・ © 2018 Georgia O'Keeffe Museum/ Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Black Iris, 1926 ・ Oil on Canvas ・ 75.9w x 91.4h (cm) ・ The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, US ・ Alfred Stieglitz Collection, 1969 ・ © 2018 Georgia O'Keeffe Museum/ Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

New Mexico: The painter’s paradise

In 1929, O’Keeffe first visited New Mexico, a place that would grasp her for the rest of her life. Enchanted by the region’s dramatic landscapes and rich cultural history, she began to divide her time between New York and the Southwest, eventually settling permanently in New Mexico in 1949, following Stieglitz’s death.

The vivid colours, vast skies, and rugged terrain of New Mexico provided O’Keeffe with a wellspring of inspiration, leading her to create some of her most iconic works.

During this time, O’Keeffe’s focus shifted from flowers to the Southwestern landscapes that surrounded her. She was particularly drawn to the area’s unique geological formations, such as the red cliffs and sprawling mesas. In works like The White Place in Sun (1943) and My Backyard (1943), O’Keeffe masterfully captured the undulations and emotions of the land, evoking a sense of spirituality and solitude.

O’Keeffe’s fascination with the natural world extended to the animal bones she discovered in the desert. She saw these relics as symbols of the cycle of life and death that governed the land. In paintings like Pelvis with Moon (1943) and Ram’s Head, White Hollyhock—Hills (1935), she juxtaposed these stark, organic forms against the backdrop of the New Mexico sky, creating striking visual contrasts that underscored the interconnectedness of all living things.

As her career progressed, O’Keeffe became increasingly interested in exploring the abstraction of her work. She experimented with simplified forms and colour relationships, creating a body of work that was both bold and contemplative. Pieces like Untitled (Mt Fuji) (1960), and Sky Above Clouds IV (1965) demonstrated her ability to articulate the ethereal beauty of the world around her, while maintaining a sense of harmony and balance.

Throughout her time in New Mexico, O’Keeffe continued to defy societal expectations and challenge artistic conventions. Despite her deteriorating eyesight in her later years, she remained committed to her craft, creating memorable works well into her 90s.

Recognition and legacy: A lasting impact

Despite of her early setbacks, Georgia O’Keeffe received significant recognition as an artist during her lifetime.

One of her most notable solo exhibitions was held at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1943. This exhibition was her first of two retrospectives and showcased her wide range of work, including her iconic flower paintings, New York cityscapes, and landscapes from her time in New Mexico. The exhibit received positive reviews and solidified O’Keeffe’s reputation as a leading American artist.

In 1970, the Whitney Museum of American Art held a retrospective of O’Keeffe’s work, making her the first woman to have a retrospective exhibition at the museum. This exhibition covered her entire career, highlighting her evolution as an artist and cementing her status as a pivotal figure in American art history.

O’Keeffe’s accolades extended beyond exhibitions as well. She was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1966, a prestigious honor that recognized her significant contributions to the art world. She also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977, the highest civilian honour in the United States, in recognition of her profound impact on American culture and art.

O’Keeffe passed away on March 6, 1986 at the age of 98, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues today. As a pioneer of American Modernism, she helped to redefine the boundaries of artistic expression, pushing the limits of what was considered acceptable within the medium of painting. Her bold, innovative approach to subject matter and composition paved the way for future generations of artists, while her success in a male-dominated field served as a powerful inspiration for women in the arts.

Today, O’Keeffe’s work continues to be celebrated in major institutions around the world, including the Tate Modern in London, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her timeless images continue to delight audiences, offering a bold, fresh perspective on the beauty and complexity of the natural world.

Ram's Head, White Hollyhock—Hills, 1935 ・ Oil on Canvas ・ 76.2h x 91.4w (cm) ・ Brooklyn Museum, New York, US ・ Bequest of Edith and Milton Lowenthal ・ © 2018 Georgia O'Keeffe Museum/ Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Through her innovative approach to composition and subject matter, Georgia O’Keeffe forever altered the way we perceive the world around us.

Her influence is felt not only within artistic circles but also resonates with anyone who seeks to ponder the subtleties of existence and the eloquent quietude of nature.

Her paintings beckon us to slow down and truly see the world around us—to appreciate the intricate details of a flower’s petals, the vastness of a desert landscape, or the quiet beauty of a sun-bleached bone. By doing so, we are reminded of our own connection to the natural world and the importance of preserving its beauty for future generations.

O’Keeffe’s tenacity and determination also serve as a guiding light for those seeking to overcome adversity and pursue their passions. Her unwavering commitment to her vision reminds us of the strength that lies within us all to shape our own destinies.

As we reflect on Georgia O’Keeffe’s life and work, let us be inspired to embrace our own creative potential and to seek out the simple beauties that exist in the world around us.

Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1, 1932 ・ Oil on Canvas ・ 121.9h x 101.6w (cm) ・ Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Arkansas US ・ © 2016 Georgia O'Keeffe Museum/DACS, London ・ Photograph by Edward C. Robison III