Black Iris

Georgia O'Keeffe magnified a dark iris bloom until it fills the entire canvas, transforming a simple flower into an abstract exploration of form and color. The velvety purple-black petals unfold in layers.

O'Keeffe's monumental flower paintings became her signature subject. She insisted they were simply flowers, pushing back against Freudian interpretations that dominated critical discussion of her work.

The de Young Museum holds this work as part of its thorough American art collection, one of the top ten in the nation.