Red Poppy 1927

Georgia O'Keeffe made this painting, "Red Poppy," with oil paint, and she's playing a game of seeing, where the flower fills our entire field of vision. The petals are so smooth and vibrant; each curve is like a soft caress. O'Keeffe works with subtle colour changes to give the petals a sculptural feel. Look closely, and you'll see how she uses light and shadow to create volume. It's almost like she's building up the form with layers of paint, carefully blending each stroke so it feels both real and abstract at once. It reminds me a little of those close-up photographs by Karl Blossfeldt, transforming natural forms into almost architectural structures. But while Blossfeldt’s work is all about precision, O’Keeffe wants you to feel the sensual essence of the flower. This painting is about more than just what we see; it's about how we experience the world.