Georgia O'Keeffe c. 1918

Alfred Stieglitz captured this photograph of Georgia O'Keeffe using gelatin silver print. Here, the image is dominated by the intimate portrayal of O'Keeffe, eyes closed as she lays reclined. The pose evokes ancient sculptures of sleeping figures, a motif that spans across millennia and cultures. Think of the Roman ‘Sleeping Ariadne’ or even Renaissance depictions of ‘Venus’. Each conveys a sense of vulnerability, inviting contemplation on mortality and beauty. This image resonates with these archetypes, yet it is charged with modern emotional intensity. Consider also the evolution of such imagery. From classical ideals of beauty to the raw emotional explorations in modern art, we observe shifts in cultural values and psychological understanding. In Stieglitz's photograph, O’Keeffe appears both timeless and intensely present. The intimacy of the composition—the close-up perspective—engages viewers on a profound level, awakening subconscious associations and collective memories related to sleep, vulnerability, and contemplation.