Georgia O’Keeffe studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Art Students League in New York. During her early career, she experimented with different styles, including Impressionism and abstraction, and taught art in Texas. However, it was her discovery of abstraction and her unique interpretation of nature that would define her legacy. Her signature paintings of enlarged flowers, often portrayed in close-up and with a focus on intricate details, became her hallmark. These floral works transcended traditional representations and carried a sense of sensuality and abstraction, sparking discussions about feminism and the relationship between art and nature.
In the 1920s, O’Keeffe shifted her focus to New York City, where she created a series of paintings capturing the city’s architectural landmarks, particularly the skyscrapers. These urban landscapes reflected her fascination with the interplay of form, line, and light in the urban environment. O’Keeffe’s connection with New Mexico began in the 1920s, and she would eventually move there permanently. The landscapes of the American Southwest greatly influenced her work, with paintings that evoke the vastness and spirituality of the region’s deserts, mountains, and skies. Georgia O’Keeffe continued to paint and exhibit her art throughout her life. Her influence extended beyond the canvas, as she became a symbol of female empowerment and artistic innovation. She received numerous awards and honors and was a trailblazer for women in the arts.
