Iris 7 

Georgia O'Keeffe created "Iris 7" sometime in the 1920s, using oil on canvas. This close-up view of an iris blossom invites us to appreciate its beauty but also hints at the social and cultural context in which O'Keeffe was working. In the early 20th century, as the art world was dominated by men, O'Keeffe's floral paintings were often interpreted through the lens of gender, with some viewers suggesting they represented female sexuality. However, O'Keeffe resisted these interpretations, asserting that her intention was simply to capture the essence and monumentality of the flower itself. Her stance challenges the institutional tendency to categorize artists and their work based on gender. By examining O'Keeffe's statements and the critical reception of her work, we can explore the power dynamics at play in the art world of her time.