Georgia O'Keeffe 1919 - 1921

This silver print of Georgia O'Keeffe was created by Alfred Stieglitz, her husband, during their complex and intensely creative relationship. Stieglitz was instrumental in promoting O'Keeffe's career, and his photographs of her became a crucial part of her public image. Consider the power dynamics at play: Stieglitz, a well-established figure in the art world, capturing O'Keeffe through his lens. These weren't just casual snapshots, but carefully constructed images that shaped how the world saw her. Was he celebrating her, or objectifying her? The line blurs, doesn't it? O'Keeffe herself spoke of feeling both empowered and constrained by these images, recognizing their role in her fame while also feeling a loss of control over her own representation. The gaze in this photograph is direct, yet it also feels vulnerable. Stieglitz's photographs raise questions about the artist's identity and the power dynamics inherent in the act of portraiture.