A series of paintings by Georgia O’Keeffe, initiated in the 1960s, presents expansive aerial perspectives of cloud formations. These works depart from her more familiar close-up depictions of flowers and Southwestern landscapes. The canvases capture the ethereal quality of the atmosphere and the vastness of the sky, often employing soft, blended colors to convey the sense of light and depth.
These compositions hold significance within O’Keeffe’s oeuvre as they represent a shift towards abstraction and a fascination with the immensity of the natural world. The undertaking of such a large-scale project at a later stage in her career demonstrates her continued artistic exploration and her commitment to capturing the sublime beauty of the American landscape, even from unconventional viewpoints. They also reflect a personal triumph over physical limitations, as the aerial perspective was inspired by her travels and the views from airplanes.
