Georgia O'Keeffe Museum — Attraction in Santa Fe

Will return.

What a treat: we enjoyed two hours private tour at the museum of Georgia O'Keeffe (1887-1986). She's my top three artist. I even bought a matching flowery dress when I went to see one of her exhibits in New York a few years ago.

This museum was opened in 1997. It's small (Santa Fe is a small town!) and the paintings they've, are rather small too. I think the museums in New York and DC have far more magnificent 气势磅礴 works of hers.

"Mother of American modernism", was born in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, University of Virginia and the Teachers College, Columbia University. Her eventual husband Alfred Stieglitz (1864-1946) was a photographer and modern art promoter, who held an exhibit in New York for her in 1917. He would divorce his fellow photographer/artist Emmeline Obermayer in 1924 and married O'Keeffe the same year.

The frames: they look thin. The docent said they were designed by the artist herself. Reportedly can prevent bugs as well as wine (they do rent out the museum space).

O'Keeffe was often the harshest judge of her own work, and even went so far as to destroy paintings that did not meet her standards. In some cases this was because a work had been damaged-including damage that she considered to have been done by careless conservators.

She had been visiting New Mexico (Santa Fe, Taos, etc.) during her marriage. After his death in 1946, she soon moved to New Mexico for the rest of her life; spending the last few years in Santa Fe and passed away there.

Among list of artists who enjoyed success and recognition during their own lifetime, she was the only female artist among the 10 men:

Pablo Picasso Leonardo da Vinci Michelangelo Claude Monet Pierre-Auguste Renoir Rembrandt Salvador Dalí Andy Warhol Georgia O'Keeffe Henri Matisse Paul Cézanne

Till 1986, her works fetched the highest amount at the auctions, among female artists. Now her works only trail behind Yayoi Kusama (1929-) and Joan Mitchell (1925-92), one is still alive and one dead six years after her.

She enjoyed cooking, perhaps was also the farm to table pioneer. The exhibits of her kitchen wears, pots, pans and notebooks are hers but her Leica camera on display wasn't, the museum explained that she used the same model. Love the honesty.

One thing I thought she was above the rest was she didn't sign her works, because she believed her distinctive and unique style would be easily recognized. Which is so true. The female docent said, "she said, 'you don't sign your face, do you?'"

A little (or a lot) like Marguerite Duras (1914-96), or any elderly person who relies on a much younger companion. O'Keeffe hired an assistant Juan Hamilton (John Bruce; 1946-) in 1973, after suffering vision lose. He was 27, a divorced potter at the time. She left her estate to him, but to avoid lengthy litigation, he gave up much of that estate (houses and paintings ...) because "if he were to fight that fight, he would spend 10 to 15 years, which would be an entire career, and neither Miss O’Keeffe (how he loved to call her) nor he would ever want that."

O'Keeffe was captivated by the view of Cerro Pedernal (Flint Mountain), which has been a sacred and significant site to many Indigenous and Hispano communities for thousands of years. O'Keeffe's own immense love and respect for this mountain is exhibited in her numerous depictions of the view from her front yard. According to the docent, her ashes are...

The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico, stands as a testament to the life and works of one of America's most celebrated artists. Visiting this museum is not merely an excursion into art; it's a journey through O'Keeffe's evolution as an artist and a glimpse into the landscapes and inspirations that shaped her iconic style.

Upon entering the museum, visitors are greeted by a carefully curated collection that spans O'Keeffe's entire career. From her early abstract experiments to her later, more famous works featuring enlarged flowers and New Mexican landscapes, the museum provides a comprehensive look at her artistic progression. The layout of the museum allows for a chronological exploration, offering insight into the influences and experiences that influenced O'Keeffe's artistic vision.

One of the most striking aspects of the museum is its ability to showcase O'Keeffe's mastery of color and form. Her use of vibrant hues and bold compositions captivates viewers, drawing them into the intricate details of her paintings. The museum's lighting and display techniques further enhance the viewing experience, allowing visitors to appreciate the subtle nuances of O'Keeffe's brushstrokes and textures.

In addition to her paintings, the museum also houses a collection of O'Keeffe's personal items, including clothing, tools, and photographs. These artifacts offer a more intimate perspective on the artist, allowing visitors to connect with her on a more personal level and gain insight into her daily life and creative process.

The museum's educational programs and exhibitions add another layer of depth to the experience. From guided tours to interactive workshops, visitors have the opportunity to delve deeper into O'Keeffe's art and legacy. Special exhibitions often feature works by other artists who were influenced by O'Keeffe or explore themes related to her life and work, providing a broader context for understanding her impact on...

I’ve waited nearly a decade to see this museum. Santa Fe, while beautiful, is a place one has to search out if one is from the coasts. The museum was busy that day and I unfortunately only had one hour I could dedicate to seeing the art.

Best hour I’ve had in years. I attempted not to be publicly emotional around so many strangers. Georgia’s work speaks for itself. If given the chance. At first glance, one might see a simple, yet effective naturalist. One influenced by the popular artists of her time, for sure. Attempting to reconnect the American public with the beauty of a natural landscape as opposed to the many skyscrapers popping up across the country.

If one digs a bit deeper, sure, you can see the yonic influence. She certainly didn’t make it a secret. For so long, men had worked the shape of their bodies into the world around them. Georgia simply pointed out how the feminine form didn’t need recreation. It existed in the canyons and ice-pocked lakes of Spring.

Dig deeper still and you find a woman so in love with her own existence that it scared men to their core. We should all pray to live with such deeply held conviction of self; whether we choose to immortalize it in art or not.

There is no substitution for being here. Google Images cannot show you the charcoal lines beneath the pigment. It neglects the stray hair glued to a canvas. The emotional information she recorded in these canvases is purely analog.

Make the journey. You...