Georgia Totto O'Keeffe
Born 1887 · Age 138
American modernist painter and draftswoman known for large-scale flower paintings, New York skyscraper views, and New Mexico landscapes; career spanned seven decades.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born near Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Georgia Totto O'Keeffe born to Francis Calyxtus O'Keeffe and Ida Totto on the family dairy farm near Sun Prairie, WI.
Early schooling and art lessons
Attended Town Hall School and, with sisters Ida and Anita, took art lessons at home with local watercolorist Sara Mann.
Boarded at Sacred Heart Academy (Madison, WI)
Attended Sacred Heart Academy for first year of high school; received art instruction from Sister Angelique.
Family moved to Williamsburg, Virginia
O'Keeffe's family relocated to Williamsburg (Peacock Hill), Virginia, where her father started a business in cast concrete block.
Entered School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Began studies at the Art Institute of Chicago, studied with John Vanderpoel; determined to pursue art after high school.
Graduated Chatham Episcopal Institute
Completed high school at Chatham (Chatham Hall); served as art editor of the yearbook; principal Elizabeth May Willis encouraged her art.
Studied at Art Students League, New York
Attended the Art Students League; studied with William Merritt Chase, F. Luis Mora, and Kenyon Cox; roomed with Florence Cooney.
Began working as commercial artist in Chicago
Moved back to Chicago to work as a freelance commercial artist after discovering financial constraints and family illness/bankruptcy.
Won William Merritt Chase still-life prize
Awarded the League's Still Life Scholarship for Dead Rabbit with Copper Pot; scholarship to attend Outdoor School at Lake George.
Illness and move to Charlottesville
Contracted measles/illness and moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, to live with her mother and siblings; did not paint for several years.
Taught at Chatham Episcopal Institute
Temporarily took over the art teaching schedule at her alma mater Chatham Episcopal Institute.
Summer study at University of Virginia with Alon Bement
Attended drawing class taught by Alon Bement; introduced to Arthur Wesley Dow's principles, which redirected her aesthetic toward design and abstraction.
Moved to Amarillo, Texas—public school supervisor
August: became supervisor of drawing and penmanship in Amarillo public schools (held position through spring 1914).
Assistant to Alon Bement, UVA (summers)
Returned to UVA to serve as Bement's assistant in summer sessions (1913–1916), further exploring Dow's methods.
Enrolled at Teachers College, Columbia University
Took further coursework at Teachers College, studying Dow's methods more formally.
Produced seminal charcoal abstractions
In October produced a series of charcoal drawings in Columbia, SC that marked a decisive turn to abstraction; sent examples to friend Anita Pollitzer.
Anita Pollitzer brings drawings to Alfred Stieglitz
On New Year's Day Pollitzer showed O'Keeffe's charcoal drawings to Alfred Stieglitz at his 291 gallery in New York.
Became head of art department, West Texas State Normal College
Assumed chair of art department in Canyon, Texas (fall 1916); work there inspired landscapes and watercolors of the Texas plains.
Stieglitz exhibits O'Keeffe at 291
April: Stieglitz exhibited ten of O'Keeffe's charcoal drawings at 291, marking her first New York exposure.
Mother Ida O'Keeffe died
Georgia's mother died in Charlottesville; Georgia attended the funeral May 2, 1916.
First solo show at 291
Alfred Stieglitz opened Georgia O'Keeffe, her first one-person exhibition, at 291 in New York.
First visit to Santa Fe, New Mexico
On way back from a Colorado vacation, visited Santa Fe and was deeply impressed by New Mexico landscape.
Leave from teaching; moved to Texas farm
Late February granted leave from teaching; moved to San Antonio and then a farm in Waring, Texas, in March to recuperate.
Moved to New York at Stieglitz's invitation
Arrived in New York with Paul Strand on June 10 and moved into a studio apartment at 114 East 59th Street provided by Stieglitz.
Stieglitz separates from his wife and photographs O'Keeffe
Stieglitz left his wife to live with O'Keeffe; began photographing her in earnest and underwrote a year of her painting.
Father Francis O'Keeffe died
O'Keeffe's father died in Petersburg, Virginia.
Stieglitz retrospective with photos of O'Keeffe
Stieglitz's retrospective at The Anderson Galleries included many nude portraits of O'Keeffe, creating a public sensation.
Anderson Galleries exhibition of O'Keeffe (100 works)
Stieglitz opened 'Alfred Stieglitz Presents One Hundred Pictures'—an exhibition of over 100 works by O'Keeffe at The Anderson Galleries.
Stieglitz exhibited 51 recent O'Keeffe works
March: Stieglitz opened an exhibition of 51 recent works by O'Keeffe at The Anderson Galleries (and an exhibition of 61 of his photographs).
Stieglitz divorce finalized
Alfred Stieglitz's divorce from Emmeline Obermeyer was finalized, permitting his marriage to O'Keeffe later that year.
Married Alfred Stieglitz
O'Keeffe and Alfred Stieglitz married in Cliffside Park, New Jersey on December 11, 1924.
Seven Americans exhibition (flowers first large-format shown)
Stieglitz included O'Keeffe's large-format flower paintings in the 'Seven Americans' exhibition at The Anderson Galleries.
Moved into the Shelton Hotel
O'Keeffe and Stieglitz moved to the Shelton Hotel (lived there through 1936 and moved among floors), giving vantage for skyscraper paintings.
Fifty Recent Paintings exhibition at The Intimate Gallery
Stieglitz opened an exhibition of 50 recent Georgia O'Keeffe paintings including early New York architecture depictions.
First large museum retrospective at Brooklyn Museum
Her first museum retrospective, Paintings by Georgia O'Keeffe, opened at The Brooklyn Museum.
Announcement of sale of six calla lily paintings ($25,000)
Stieglitz announced sale of six O'Keeffe calla lily paintings for $25,000 to an anonymous buyer in France; later accounts question accuracy.
First significant trip to New Mexico (Taos/Santa Fe)
Left for Santa Fe and Taos as guest of patron Mabel Dodge Luhan; stayed and painted in Taos and began long association with New Mexico.
Museum of Modern Art group show inclusion
Paintings by 19 Living Americans opened at MoMA, including five works by O'Keeffe.
Exhibition '27 New Paintings' at An American Place
Stieglitz opened 'Georgia O'Keeffe: 27 New Paintings' including early New Mexico crosses and Ranchos de Taos church depictions.
Exhibition of 33 New Paintings (first with bones)
Stieglitz opened 'Georgia O'Keeffe: 33 New Paintings (New Mexico)' at An American Place—the first to include her bone/skull paintings.
Accepted Radio City Music Hall mural commission ($1,500)
April: Accepted a $1,500 commission to paint a mural for the Radio City Music Hall powder room; later abandoned the commission in October due to technical problems.
Abandoned Radio City commission; stopped painting
October: Faced technical difficulties and abandoned the Radio City commission; subsequently stopped painting for a period.
Hospitalization for psychoneurosis
Became ill in 1933; admitted to Doctors Hospital in February 1933 for psychoneurosis; recuperated in Bermuda March–April.
Resumed painting after 13-month hiatus; exhibition
January 1934 she resumed painting; Stieglitz opened '44 Selected Paintings 1915–1927' at An American Place on Jan 29.
First visit to Ghost Ranch
August: First visit to Ghost Ranch near Abiquiú; landscape there became a major source of inspiration for decades.
Stayed at Ghost Ranch; created desert/ skull works
Summer 1935: Stayed at Garland's ranch then moved to Ghost Ranch; produced desert landscapes and skull images that became signature motifs.
Moved to penthouse at 405 East 54th Street
April: O'Keeffe and Stieglitz moved from the Shelton Hotel to a penthouse apartment at 405 East 54th Street in NYC.
Elizabeth Arden commission ($10,000)
Received a $10,000 commission from Elizabeth Arden to make a large painting for a New York exercise salon (summer–fall 1936).
Commission from N. W. Ayer to paint Hawaii (Dole campaign)
Advertising agency N.W. Ayer commissioned O'Keeffe to travel to Hawaii to produce paintings for the Hawaiian Pineapple Company promotional campaign.
Honorary degree, Doctor of Fine Arts from William & Mary
Received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from the College of William & Mary.
Traveled to Hawaii; produced ~20 paintings
Arrived in Honolulu aboard SS Lurline Feb 8, 1939; spent nine weeks across the islands and produced about 20 Hawaii-inspired paintings.
Retrospective at Art Institute of Chicago
In 1943 O'Keeffe traveled to Chicago to install and attend events for a retrospective 'Georgia O'Keeffe' at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Purchased Abiquiú property
December: O'Keeffe purchased an abandoned hacienda in Abiquiú from the Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe and renovated it into a home and studio.
Alfred Stieglitz died
Stieglitz died July 13, 1946; O'Keeffe returned to New Mexico late that September; she spent subsequent years settling his estate and distributing his collection.
Moved permanently to New Mexico
Left New York in June 1949 to live permanently in New Mexico, splitting time between Abiquiú and Ghost Ranch until the end of her life.
Edith Halpert became exclusive agent
July: Edith Halpert of The Downtown Gallery became O'Keeffe's exclusive agent; O'Keeffe organized a 1946–1950 exhibition for October.
Traveled to Mexico; met Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo
February–March 1951: Six-week trip to Mexico with friends; included a drive to the Yucatán with Rose and Miguel Covarrubias and meetings with Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo.
World travel (San Francisco, Honolulu, Southeast Asia, Europe)
January–April 1959: Traveled via San Francisco and Honolulu to Southeast Asia, the Far East, India, the Middle East, and Italy.
Helped organize 'Forty Years of Her Art' retrospective
July: Helped organize the retrospective 'Georgia O'Keeffe: Forty Years of Her Art' that opened in October at the Worcester Art Museum.
Last exhibition at The Downtown Gallery installed
Spring 1961: Helped organize and install what would be her last exhibition at The Downtown Gallery (Georgia O'Keeffe: Recent Paintings and Drawings).
Doris Bry became exclusive agent
Doris Bry succeeded as O'Keeffe's exclusive agent, representing her interests.
Painted largest clouds picture
Summer 1965: In the garage at Ghost Ranch painted her largest cloud pictures (Sky Above Clouds series).
Elected Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
In 1966 O'Keeffe was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; elected to American Academy of Arts and Letters (date unspecified).
Retrospective opening at Amon Carter Museum
March: Attended the opening of the retrospective 'Georgia O'Keeffe: An Exhibition of the Work of the Artist from 1915 to 1966' at the Amon Carter Museum of Western Art.
Installed retrospective at Whitney Museum
Early October 1970: Installed a major retrospective 'Georgia O'Keeffe' at the Whitney Museum of American Art.
Lost central vision (macular degeneration)
Early 1971 O'Keeffe lost her central vision and had only peripheral sight remaining, substantially affecting painting method.
Received M. Carey Thomas Award (Bryn Mawr)
Awarded the M. Carey Thomas Award at Bryn Mawr College in 1971 (part of several late-life honors).
Received Edward MacDowell Medal
Awarded the Edward MacDowell Medal (listed among honors) in 1972.
Completed last unassisted oil painting
In 1972 completed her final oil painting done entirely without assistance (continued working with help afterward).
Honorary degree from Harvard University
Received an honorary degree from Harvard University in 1973 (reported among her honors in the 1970s).
Met Juan Hamilton (assistant)
November 1973: Met potter-sculptor John Bruce 'Juan' Hamilton who became her live-in assistant, close friend, and representative.
Autobiography 'Georgia O'Keeffe' published (Viking Press)
Her autobiography was published by Viking Press in 1976 and became a bestseller; cover featured Summer Days (1936).
Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
In January 1977 President Gerald Ford presented Georgia O'Keeffe with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Moved to Santa Fe (Sol y Sombra)
March 1984: Moved with assistant Juan Hamilton and his family to a large house in Santa Fe (Sol y Sombra) to be nearer medical facilities.
Awarded National Medal of Arts
Awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Ronald Reagan in 1985.
Died in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Georgia O'Keeffe died at St. Vincent's Hospital in Santa Fe on March 6, 1986; ashes scattered at Ghost Ranch per her wishes.
Estate settlement (family contest resolved)
Family contested codicils that left most of her roughly $65 million estate to Juan Hamilton; case settled out of court in July 1987.
Publication: Some Memories of Drawings
Posthumous publication 'Some Memories of Drawings' (University of New Mexico Press, 1988) collects memories and materials on drawings.
Publication: Georgia O'Keeffe: American and Modern (Yale)
Yale University Press published 'Georgia O'Keeffe: American and Modern' (1993), a major scholarly work on her art.
Inducted into National Women's Hall of Fame (posthumous honor)
Georgia O'Keeffe was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1993.
Georgia O'Keeffe Museum opened (Santa Fe)
The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum opened in Santa Fe (posthumous, established using substantial estate assets and foundation holdings).
Fossil named Effigia okeeffeae
A fossilized archosaur species was named Effigia okeeffeae in January 2006, honoring O'Keeffe for paintings of Ghost Ranch badlands.
Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1 sold for record $44,405,000
O'Keeffe's 1932 painting Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1 sold at auction for $44,405,000 — at the time the highest price for a female artist's work.
Key Achievement Ages
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