Georgia O'Keeffe 1919 - 1921

Alfred Stieglitz made this photo of Georgia O’Keeffe, his partner and fellow artist, sometime in the early 20th century. It’s a small photo, and it captures O’Keeffe with her head bent, hands on top of her head, maybe arranging her hair. What strikes me is the intimacy and the texture in the grayscale tones. Look how Stieglitz coaxes different shades from light and shadow; it’s like he’s painting with light. There is a softness in the image that has a tactile quality, as if you could reach out and touch her hair, the curve of her neck. The way he frames O’Keeffe, so close and personal, reminds me a little of Edward Weston’s portraits. Both artists had this knack for turning everyday subjects into something deeply felt and almost sculptural. It really speaks to how artists see each other – not just as subjects, but as fellow travelers in this ongoing conversation we call art. It’s never just one meaning, it’s always a dance of interpretations.