Georgia O’Keeffe was an American painter, born on November 15, 1887. She attended the Art Institute of Chicago and the Art Students League in New York for art education. O’Keeffe is considered the “Mother of American modernism” and became the first female modernist painter in the United States.
O’Keeffe’s art style was characterized by finding essential abstract forms in nature. Her large format paintings of natural subjects including flowers, animal skulls, and southwestern landscapes were distinct from shifting trends during her time. O’Keeffe stayed true to her own vision, which led to her work being validated by photography pioneer Alfred Stieglitz.
The artist remained independent and unswayed by what other artists were creating at that time or even after her death. This can be seen as unconventional at a time where most artists followed or participated in prevailing art movements popular among critics but not necessarily original creators.
Over time O’Keeffe became recognized internationally for her artwork and received national recognition through major exhibitions. Her contribution to modernism allowed Georgia to become remembered for as one of America’s most influential artists who impacted how others saw abstract representations in art of nature-related subjects around them.
Overall, Georgia O’keeffe’s influence extended beyond painting into popular culture where we see references to aspects such as dress sense representing a true icon with staying power far after she passed away over thirty years ago
