American painter Georgia O’Keeffe (November 1887-March 1986) was a pioneering ‘modernist’. Her unique approach challenged all accepted norms of painting and gave a new definition to ‘Modern American Art’. Due to her competition, American Art achieved fame and recognition in a creatively competent Europe. Flowers fascinated Georgia and were her favorite subject on the canvas. O’Keeffe painted “Oriental Poppies” in 1928. This stunning work was declared a groundbreaking masterpiece of art.

Georgia O’Keeffe described her painting as a product of what she perceived in her mind and felt in her heart. In “Oriental Poppies”, she represents two giant poppies. Measuring 30″ x 40″, this oil painting is an explosion of brilliant color on a large canvas, giving it a mesmerizing effect. O’Keefe used a dazzling red and orange as the main color for her petals. The hollowed-out center and inner contours of the flowers are painted in deep purple. Skillful shading and the velvety finish of the petals accentuate the vibrancy of the flowers. “Oriental Poppies” almost looks like a close-up photograph. O’Keeffe gave the painting no background, to cleverly bring the flowers into focus. The absence of context in the painting presents them in a new light as pure abstracts. “Oriental Poppies” exudes an initial pull, as if casting a hypnotic spell on the viewer.

Georgia O’Keeffe believed that because of the fast pace of people’s lives, they simply looked at flowers, but never really saw their lusciousness. She wanted to give those rushing people the experience and feeling of the true beauty of flowers. In her words, “If I could paint the flower exactly as I see it, nobody would see what I see because I would paint it small as the flower is small. So I said to myself: I will paint what I see, that the flower is for me , but I’ll paint it big and you’ll be amazed to take the time to look at it; I’ll make even busy New Yorkers take the time to see what I see from the flowers.” O’Keeffe chose to paint on a massive canvas in an explosion of bold color, to amaze viewers and introduce them to the wonder of nature. On her bet, she managed to eloquently capture the essence of poppies.

Many art researchers believed that O’Keeffe’s “Oriental Poppies” were a response to the enlargement technique adapted by Alfred Stieglitz in “Modern Photography”. The magnificent painting speaks volumes about O’Keefe’s talent and artistic vision. Georgia’s delightful depiction of two ordinary flowers aroused great admiration and was considered one of his most memorable works. It is now part of a collection at the University of Minnesota Museum of Art, Minneapolis.