Black and Purple Petunias 

Georgia O'Keeffe made this painting of "Black and Purple Petunias" in the United States. The image depicts enlarged flowers, pushing their forms to the edge of abstraction. O'Keeffe's floral paintings were created in a specific cultural context, one in which the art world was dominated by men. Her close-up depictions of flowers were often interpreted through a gendered lens, suggesting a connection to female sexuality. But O'Keeffe herself rejected these interpretations, asserting that she painted flowers simply because they were a subject that interested her. It is possible that through her art she was trying to challenge the institutional structure of the art world. Art historians can consult O'Keeffe's letters and other primary source documents to explore the artist's intentions and the critical reception of her work. Understanding the social and institutional context in which art is made helps us to appreciate its complex meanings and its role within a particular cultural moment.