The White Place in Sun

Description

Georgia O’Keeffe often painted the dramatic geological formation known as the White Place, or Plaza Blanca, which she could see from a window in her home near Abiquiu, New Mexico. Composed of a white stone that stands out starkly against the colors of the surrounding terrain, the White Place was whittled and smoothed by water and wind over centuries into a striking formation resembling columns, cliffs, and towers. Here, O’Keeffe selected a view that emphasizes a deep cleft between two spires. The V-shaped composition accentuates the interplay between the brilliant blue sky, the eerie white color, and the horizontal striations of the rock.

Provenance

Georgia O’Keeffe (1887–1986), New York and New Mexico, then Abiquiú, NM, from 1949; sold to Paul Rosenbaum (1897–1982) and Gabriella Rosenbaum (1905–2000; born Gabriella Kramer), Chicago and Palm Springs, FL, 1969 [documentation in curatorial object file]; by descent to Gabriella Rosenbaum; bequeathed to the Art Institute of Chicago, 2002.

The White Place in Sun

Georgia O'Keeffe

1943

Accession Number

158752

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

71 × 56.2 cm (27 15/16 × 22 1/8 in.)

Classification

oil on canvas

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Bequest of Paul and Gabriella Rosenbaum