The phrase refers to a specific series of paintings by the American modernist artist Georgia O’Keeffe. These works depict aerial perspectives of cloudscapes, typically with a sharp horizon line separating the cloud formations from the deep blue of the upper atmosphere. An example is her monumental work, “Sky Above Clouds IV,” which showcases a seemingly endless expanse of billowing white clouds against a vibrant azure backdrop.
The significance of these paintings lies in their scale, ambition, and departure from O’Keeffe’s more familiar depictions of flowers and desert landscapes. They represent a shift toward abstraction and a fascination with capturing the immensity and beauty of the natural world from a unique vantage point. The paintings, particularly “Sky Above Clouds IV,” challenged conventional notions of landscape painting and solidified O’Keeffe’s reputation as a pioneering figure in American art. Commissioned by the Art Institute of Chicago, “Sky Above Clouds IV” marked a departure from O’Keeffe’s previous themes and significantly contributed to her legacy.
