Oriental Poppies 1928

Georgia O'Keeffe painted these Oriental Poppies with a close-up view, magnifying their forms in a way that almost tips into abstraction. I can imagine her in the studio, really diving deep into the folds and curves of the petals. There's something so visceral about the way she layers those reds and oranges. It’s almost as if she’s building up a sculpture with paint! The pigment looks relatively thin, allowing for smooth transitions of colour and light. Notice how the dark centers create such a strong contrast. I can imagine O'Keeffe really focusing on those areas, pushing the boundaries between representation and something more intimate. O’Keeffe continues in the tradition of artists like Monet and Van Gogh, who found endless inspiration in the natural world. She encourages us to look closely, to find the extraordinary within the ordinary. I think that painting is all about this exchange of ideas through time, where each artist brings their unique voice to the conversation.