Pink Shell with Seaweed 1937

Georgia O'Keeffe made this painting of a shell, its date unknown, with oil on canvas. Zooming in on a natural form, O’Keeffe prompts viewers to reconsider their relationship to the natural world. Produced during a period of increasing industrialization and urbanization in the United States, O'Keeffe's image encouraged a return to nature. Her choice of subject matter was considered radical. O'Keeffe's art directly challenged conservative artistic norms, and the shell itself became a symbol of female sexuality, which sparked controversy in the male-dominated art world of the time. Through her work, O'Keeffe questioned the institutions that shaped artistic expression. For deeper insight into O'Keeffe’s artistic intentions, one might explore her biography. Examining exhibition catalogues, critical reviews, and the social history of early 20th-century American art are also invaluable in understanding her work.