Comprehensive Analysis of Georgia O'Keeffe's 'Yellow Calla' Artwork

This report provides a detailed analysis of Georgia O'Keeffe's 'Yellow Calla' painting. It examines the artist's use of compositional elements, including lines, colors, and the portrayal of the flower's petals. The report explores the symbolism of the yellow calla lily, its introduction to American art, and its interpretation within the context of Freudian psychology. It discusses the painting's purpose, the mood it evokes, and its narrative, highlighting its connection to themes of joy, vibrancy, and the human connection to nature. Furthermore, the report contextualizes the painting within its historical period, mentioning the influence of World War II and the introduction of the lily to the United States. Finally, the report discusses the influence of Georgia O'Keeffe's work on other artists, including Elizabeth Arden, and emphasizes her role as a key figure in American modernism. This analysis aims to provide a deeper understanding of the painting's significance and its impact on the viewer.

Running head: ANALYSIS OF ARTIST
Analysis of Artist
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1ANALYSIS OF ARTIST
Title of the Work: Yellow Calla
Artist: Georgia O’Keeffe
Date of Creation: 1926
Nationality of the Artist: American
Medium: The medium of the painting was oil on fireboard.
Compositional Elements: The composition of her painting involved the fresh insight
into the use of lines in her work. Initially it included preliminary sketches to the
effortless outlines of her drawings that define the regions and the edges of the canvas.
The dynamic use of colours, the curve of the petals of the flower and the horizon of
the landscape all proved to be an abstract form.
Type & Purpose: The yellow calla symbolizes joy and growth. It was introduced in
the United State and it had begun to appear as a subject in the American art form. The
lily was sexually interpreted by Sigmund Freud and this added new meanings of the
depiction of the flower. The lily was depicted by the artist in a provocative manner
and it did become a recurrent motif in his works. The main purpose of the drawing
according to the artist was that he had wanted the people to see what he sees in a
flower and associate with it.
Mood: The mood of the painting was to depict the individual associations with the
flower. The mood is indeed happy and joyful. The moment I saw the picture, it
uplifted my pensive mood and made me happy and joyful. This had indeed helped me
to change my perceptions about the painting and I wanted to study it in a greater depth
to know what exactly does the picture aim to depict in depth..

2ANALYSIS OF ARTIST
Narrative: The painting of Yellow Calla indeed has a narrative story. It tells the story
of vibrancy, of joy and the happiness that had been lost sue to the world war. The
people get no time to look at a flower but every individual does have a strong bonding
and association with flowers. Thus this painting depicts this story of the people who
would love to associate with the innocence yet again, through the vibrant colours.
Time Period: The painting was created in the nineteenth century. It effectively
brought out the positivity in the atmosphere because at this period of time, due to the
Second World War the entire world had turned pensive. The South African lily was
introduced in the United States and it gradually began to appear as a subject in the
American art. It was aimed to create a pleasing mood among the people who would
see the painting.
Influences: the painting had influenced Elizabeth Arden because Georgia O’ Keeffe
had been recognized as the Mother of American modernism. Her style was indeed
something that had encouraged and influenced other artists. Moreover the Freudian
interpretation of Georgia’s works helped the other artist to think in her line of thought.