Georgia O'Keeffe 1919 - 1921

Alfred Stieglitz made this photograph of Georgia O'Keeffe using a gelatin silver print process. Stieglitz was a key figure in promoting photography as a fine art in the early 20th century United States. This portrait is part of a larger series Stieglitz made of O'Keeffe, who was not only his muse but also his wife. These images, made over many years, reflect not just her physical appearance, but also the changing dynamics of their relationship and her evolving identity as an artist. The image creates meaning through its stark simplicity, its emphasis on O'Keeffe's face. It resists the conventional poses of the time, avoiding idealization in favor of a more direct, modern approach. It's a powerful statement about the artistic gaze, and the complex relationship between photographer and subject. To fully understand this photograph, we might consult Stieglitz's writings, biographies of O'Keeffe, and critical analyses of their work. Each of these resources can help us to unpack the complex social and institutional contexts that shaped their art and lives.