The artwork titled “Mule’s Skull with Pink Poinsettias” was created by Georgia O’Keeffe in 1936. This piece belongs to the Precisionism art movement and falls under the genre of still life.
The artwork prominently features a mule’s skull depicted in muted, earthy tones, conveying a sense of stark realism and natural decay. Above the skull, two pink poinsettias, rendered in soft, flowing lines and delicate hues, contrast sharply with the harshness of the skull, providing a vibrant splash of color against the serene blue sky. The background suggests a vast, arid landscape with rolling sand dunes and sparse vegetation, emphasizing the isolation and desolation often associated with the American Southwest. The piece skillfully balances elements of life and death, creating a visual meditation on nature’s beauty and transience.
