Georgia O’Keeffe Media: Oils on canvas 1926 Black Iris Georgia O’Keeffe Media: Oils on canvas 1926

Description The art work seems to be very dark and mysterious by its name, “Black Iris”. This piece of art work is an Iris but extremely enlarged. As if it was right in the center of the flower. The “Black Iris” is symmetrical with dark values, nuetral, a little warm pink color. Georgia O’Keeffe used oil on canvas as a media technique with a smooth blending of color.

Analysis The focal point is the pitch black center of the flower because it stands out from the light purple values. There seems to be a dark mood and a balance between black and light pink. The proportion of the piece of art work is unusual , because its an enlarged flower but doesn’t look like a flower, more like if you zoomed into a picture of a flower and saw the inside. Black Iris has no pattern other then the irregular pattern of leaves. There’s some movement around the focal point. The dark values tie everything together.

Interpretation The painting has no symbolism. Georgia O’Keeffe wanted her viewers to feel dark and mysterious. The painting reminds me of being in a dark deep forest. Black Iris relates to Starry Night, because they both have a dark night mood.

Judgment Black Iris was a successful painting by its uniqueness. The focal point is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Its very unique because the iris very dark and mysterious. Georgia O’Keeffe could've added more than just a flower, like a forest to tie in with the flower.