New York with Moon 1925

Georgia O'Keeffe painted New York with Moon using oil on canvas. The moon, a celestial body, often represents the passage of time, cycles, and the rhythm of life. Here, it hangs in the night sky, above the sharp, towering buildings and the stark geometry of the city. The symbolism of light, both from the moon and the street lamp, draws connections to historical motifs of illumination and revelation, contrasting with the darkness. This symbolism is akin to religious iconography where light represents divine knowledge, seen in Renaissance paintings. The red light at the bottom stands out, reminiscent of the "flaming heart," a symbol of divine love. Throughout history, the heart has been a symbol of emotion, courage, and spiritual truth. O'Keeffe reinterprets this symbol in an urban landscape, suggesting a convergence of inner emotional experience and the external, modern world. These symbols—moon, light, heart—reveal the powerful, non-linear connections between past and present, and how enduring symbols find new life within the modern psyche.