| The American painter Georgia O'Keeffe | | | | Georgia O'Keeffe believed that due to the |
| (November 1887-March 1986) was a pioneering | | | | fast-paced lives people live, they merely glance at |
| 'Modernist.' Her unique approach defied all the | | | | flowers, but never really observed their |
| accepted norms of painting and gave a new | | | | exquisiteness. She wished to give such rushing |
| definition to the 'American Modern Art.' Owing to | | | | people experience and the feel of the true beauty |
| her competence, American Art attained fame and | | | | of flowers. In her words, "If I could paint the |
| recognition in creatively competent Europe. | | | | flower exactly as I see it no one would see what |
| Flowers fascinated Georgia and they were her | | | | I see because I would paint it small like the flower |
| favorite subject on canvas. O'Keeffe painted | | | | is small. So I said to myself - I'll paint what I see - |
| "Oriental Poppies" in 1928. This stunning work was | | | | what the flower is to me but I'll paint it big and |
| declared a groundbreaking, art masterpiece. | | | | they will be surprised into taking time to look at it |
| Georgia O'Keeffe described her painting as a | | | | - I will make even busy New Yorkers take time |
| product of what she perceived in her mind and | | | | to see what I see of flowers." O'Keeffe chose to |
| felt in her heart. In "Oriental Poppies," she depicts | | | | paint on a huge canvas with an outburst of bold |
| two giant poppy flowers. Measuring 30" x 40", this | | | | colors, to astonish the viewers and to introduce |
| oil painting is an explosion of brilliant colors on a | | | | them to the wonder of nature. In her bid, she |
| vast canvas, lending a mesmerizing effect. | | | | managed to capture the essence of poppies with |
| O'Keefe used dazzling red and orange as the main | | | | eloquence. |
| color of the petals. The hollowed centre and the | | | | Many art researchers believed that O'Keeffe's |
| inner contours of the flowers are painted in deep | | | | "Oriental Poppies" was an answer to the zoomed |
| purple. The skillful shading and velvety finish of the | | | | in technique adapted by Alfred Stieglitz in 'Modern |
| petals accentuates the vibrancy of the flowers. | | | | Photography.' The magnificent painting speaks |
| "Oriental Poppies" almost looks like a close up | | | | volumes of O'Keefe's talent and artistic vision. |
| photograph. O'Keeffe did not give any background | | | | Georgia's delightful representation of two ordinary |
| to the painting, to artfully draw focus onto the | | | | flowers generated widespread admiration and was |
| flowers. The absence of context in the painting | | | | considered as one of her most memorable works. |
| presents them in a new light as pure abstracts. | | | | It is now a part of a collection at the University |
| "Oriental Poppies" exudes a startling pull, as if | | | | of Minnesota Art Museum, Minneapolis. |
| casting a hypnotic spell on the viewer. | | | | |
