Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was Alfred Stieglitz's initial reaction upon viewing Georgia O'Keeffe's charcoal drawings, as described by Anita Pollitzer?
What was Alfred Stieglitz's initial reaction upon viewing Georgia O'Keeffe's charcoal drawings, as described by Anita Pollitzer?
- He remained silent, captivated by their unique abstract forms. (correct)
- He immediately criticized their lack of technical skill.
- He dismissed them as derivative of other contemporary artists.
- He expressed indifference, suggesting they were amateurish.
Despite Stieglitz's later championing of O'Keeffe's work, what was O'Keeffe's initial reaction to Stieglitz planning a show of her work?
Despite Stieglitz's later championing of O'Keeffe's work, what was O'Keeffe's initial reaction to Stieglitz planning a show of her work?
- She sought to stop the exhibition, demanding the drawings be taken down. (correct)
- She was grateful and immediately agreed to participate.
- She saw it as a great opportunity to collaborate with Stieglitz by creating new work for the exhibition.
- She was indifferent, as she was already receiving wider acclaim.
What was the primary financial impact on Stieglitz after he decided to marry O'Keeffe, against the wishes of his then current wife and her wealthy family?
What was the primary financial impact on Stieglitz after he decided to marry O'Keeffe, against the wishes of his then current wife and her wealthy family?
- O'Keeffe came from a wealthy family and was able to use some of her money to subsidize his artistic ventures.
- His personal wealth rapidly increased due to O'Keeffe's success.
- His access to his wife's family's funds was cut off, forcing him to rely on handouts. (correct)
- His income remained stable as his family continued to support him.
How did Stieglitz's efforts with 'Camera Work' contribute to the recognition of photography as a fine art?
How did Stieglitz's efforts with 'Camera Work' contribute to the recognition of photography as a fine art?
How did the public perception and valuation of O'Keeffe's art change from the beginning of her career to the end of her life?
How did the public perception and valuation of O'Keeffe's art change from the beginning of her career to the end of her life?
What factors contributed to the long separations in O'Keeffe and Stieglitz's marriage, after it eventually occurred?
What factors contributed to the long separations in O'Keeffe and Stieglitz's marriage, after it eventually occurred?
What motivated Stieglitz to ignore O'Keeffe's initial request to withhold her drawings from being displayed?
What motivated Stieglitz to ignore O'Keeffe's initial request to withhold her drawings from being displayed?
How can Stieglitz's introduction of artists like Picasso and Matisse to the American public be viewed in the context of his overall career?
How can Stieglitz's introduction of artists like Picasso and Matisse to the American public be viewed in the context of his overall career?
Which of the following best describes the evolution of Stieglitz and O'Keeffe's relationship, beyond their professional connection?
Which of the following best describes the evolution of Stieglitz and O'Keeffe's relationship, beyond their professional connection?
What common motifs define O'Keeffe's artistic style, particularly after her move to the American Southwest?
What common motifs define O'Keeffe's artistic style, particularly after her move to the American Southwest?
Flashcards
Alfred Stieglitz
Alfred Stieglitz
Owner of the "291" Manhattan art gallery, known for promoting modern art and photography.
Camera Work
Camera Work
A sumptuously printed magazine by Alfred Stieglitz that helped photography become recognized as a fine art.
Moribund
Moribund
The term signifies a state beyond restoration or revival.
Subsidize
Subsidize
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Exorbitant
Exorbitant
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Motifs
Motifs
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Georgia O'Keeffe
Georgia O'Keeffe
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Study Notes
Initial Encounter
- Anita Pollitzer received charcoal drawings from a friend in South Carolina who did not want them shown to anyone.
- Pollitzer disagreed, feeling the drawings deserved recognition.
- Ignoring the artist's wishes, Pollitzer showed the drawings to Alfred Stieglitz, owner of the "291" gallery in Manhattan.
- Stieglitz was intrigued by the abstract drawings, sensing they were created by a woman.
- Pollitzer confirmed they were by Georgia O'Keeffe.
- Stieglitz offered O'Keeffe a show.
Stieglitz's Plan and O'Keeffe's Reaction
- In 1916, O'Keeffe was an unknown art teacher in her late twenties.
- Stieglitz, age 52 already had and international reputation as a photographer and art dealer.
- Stieglitz was instrumental in gaining recognition for photography as fine art.
- His magazine, Camera Work, debuted in 1903.
- His gallery at 291 Fifth Avenue opened two years later selling photographic prints.
- Stieglitz admired Picasso and Matisse and introduced them to America before they were popular.
- Stieglitz planned to showcase O'Keeffe's work without telling her.
- O'Keeffe discovered the show by accident and demanded the drawings be taken down.
- Stieglitz insisted her work should be seen by the world.
Relationship Development
- O'Keeffe had moved to Texas to give art lessons.
- Stieglitz's letters to O'Keeffe were filled with passionate concern for her future as an artist.
- The letters eventually became amorous, with the two exchanging up to five letters daily.
- O'Keeffe wrote to Anita Pollitzer saying the letters can knock her down but she gets up again.
- Stieglitz was awaiting O'Keeffe when she returned to New York in May 1917.
- Stieglitz was already married and needed to get a divorce before he could marry O'Keeffe.
- His intention to divorce caused disapproval from family and friends.
- Stieglitz had been using his wife's family's money to subsidize his artistic ventures, but these funds were cut off.
- Stieglitz was reduced to accepting handouts from his brothers to survive.
- Camera Work ceased publication and his gallery closed.
Success and Marriage
- In 1921, Stieglitz's exhibition of photographs, which included forty-five portraits of O'Keeffe, created a sensation.
- O'Keeffe became an overnight celebrity.
- Stieglitz sold a photograph of her for $5,000.
- Two years later, Stieglitz organized an exhibition of 100 of O'Keeffe's paintings and drawings.
- Twenty sold immediately launching O'Keeffe's career.
- The following year, after Stieglitz's divorce, they married.
Later Life and Legacy
- The marriage ended with Stieglitz's death in 1946.
- O'Keeffe spent more time in the American Southwest inspiring much of her art.
- Her paintings commonly featured sun-bleached skulls in desert landscapes and oversized flowers in extreme close-up.
- O'Keeffe lived for over 40 years after Stieglitz's death dying at age 98.
- Her paintings sold for millions of dollars.
- Her paintings are in museums and private collections throughout the United States.
- O'Keeffe is deemed by most critics to be the greater artist of the two.
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