GEORGIA O'KEEFFE Black Iris III, 1987

Georgia O'Keeffe (1887–1986) was an American artist known for her striking paintings of enlarged flowers, New York skyscrapers, and New Mexico landscapes. Often called the "Mother of American modernism," she studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Art Students League but found traditional training limiting. After working as a teacher and illustrator, she was influenced by Arthur Wesley Dow’s emphasis on personal expression in art. In 1918, she moved to New York at the invitation of art dealer Alfred Stieglitz, who became her mentor and later her husband. O'Keeffe’s abstract works, especially her flower paintings, challenged perceptions and helped define American modern art.