Abstraction

An artistic technique that emphasizes conceptual representation and discards the attempt to represent real objects.

Amarillo

The opportunity to work as an art supervisor in Amarillo, Texas, in 1912–1914 was important in O’Keeffe’s artistic development. She developed a love for the landscape of southwestern United States, which was her primary inspiration throughout her career. While teaching, she also instilled that love in her students, opening their eyes to the beauty in their environment.

Art Institute of Chicago

This renowned art museum also houses a prestigious art school. While attending the school in 1905–1906, Georgia found that its conservative focus on realism and mastering the techniques of European artists did not suit her interests. Nonetheless, she excelled in the classroom and was ranked well.

Art Students League

Founded in 1875, this school was innovative in its educational approach in contrast to other art schools at the time of its founding. Besides Georgia O’Keeffe, the League has had many other famous students, such as Norman Rockwell and Jackson Pollock.

Black Place

Georgia named an area north of Ghost Ranch the "Black Place" because of the overwhelming presence of dark hills extending vertically into the sky. This area became the subject for many of her paintings.

Ghost Ranch

The ranch in New Mexico where Georgia spent many of her summers, and eventually bought one of the ranch buildings in 1940. Georgia liked the remoteness of the ranch and the adjacent Carson National Forest.

Symbolism

An artistic technique that uses image or sign to represent something else.

First Solo Exhibition

Between April 3 and May 14, 1917, Stieglitz presented Georgia’s first solo exhibition at 291 with artwork she produced in South Carolina and Texas. This exhibition included many of her abstractions and subjects such as canyons.

Retrospective Art Exhibition

In January and February of 1943, the Art Institute of Chicago presented the first major retrospective of O’Keeffe’s work.

Popular pages: Georgia O’Keeffe

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