Visiting the Georgia O’Keefe Museum, 4/20/2018

Almost every major museum we have visited throughout our travels have at least one Georgia O’Keefe painting on display. We both have always enjoyed her work and were excited to visit this museum dedicated to her in Santa Fe.

Georgia O’Keefe (1887-1986) is internationally known for her innovative art in the American Modernism style. She had certain subjects that she studied and loved that appeared (and re-appeared) many times in her paintings including: flowers, cityscapes, landscapes, and bones against a stark desert. During her 60-year career, she created many pieces in her unique style. 

Born in Sun Prairie, WI, her artistic ability was recognized early on. After high school graduation (1905), she studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Art Students League (NYC) and several other fine art schools.Her first exhibit in NYC was sponsored by Alfred Stieglitz in 1916; she moved there in 1918. Married in 1924 to Stieglitz, he played a significant role in promoting her work and held annual exhibitions until his death in 1946. 

Corn No 2, 1924 Canna Leaves, 1925

In 1929, O’Keefe made her first visit to northern New Mexico, and fell in love with the area. For the next twenty years she spent some time in Santa Fe each year and the influence of the area on her was seen in her paintings.

Church Steeple, 1930 Mule Skull with Pink Poinsettia, 1936 

Ram’s Head, Blue Morning Glory, 1938

Bella Donna, 1936 Tan, Orange, Yellow, Lavender, 1956-57 

O’Keefe made New Mexico her permanent home in 1949. By that time she owned two homes: Abiquiu (50 miles north of Santa Fe) and Ghost Ranch where she had a home and studio. 

My Front yard, 1941

After 1949, O’Keefe began international travel where she gained inspiration from many places she visited. Below are two of her paintings (of Peru) from that era.

Machu Picchu 1, 1957 Green and White, 1957-58

Photography of some of her paintings in the museum are prohibited. The ones shown here are randomly selected (and ones I particularly enjoyed). There is so much more to see and enjoy in person at the museum.

There are many photographs about O’Keefe’s life and work on display in the museum. Below are two that I liked: the first is of her on a motorcycle at her home in 1944; and the second is of her with her painting of the Pelvis Series Red with Yellow, 1960.

There is very nice museum gift shop that offers many unique items. We spent some time perusing the merchandise...

The museum continues to maintain O’Keefe’s two homes of Santa Fe. Tours of Abiquiu are offered March through November (although we did not go one one). For additional information about admission, hours of operation, tours, etc., go to www.okeefemuseum.org.