Georgia O'Keeffe 1932

Alfred Stieglitz made this portrait of Georgia O’Keeffe using photography, capturing a moment in their complex relationship. I look at this image and I think about the artist looking at his subject, a lover. It's not a painting but there is still so much artistry at play here. The lighting gives a smooth even tone, it caresses her face. It makes me wonder what it was like to be her, to be seen that way by him, and to then go off and make those paintings. I think of all the artists who have been in love, who have made art about love, about each other. All of the portraits that have come down through history. He made hundreds of photographs of O’Keeffe over the course of their relationship, each one trying to catch her, hold her, frame her. In a way it's like the old master’s studios, these two were constantly inspiring each other, adding to the ongoing story of art.