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The White Place in Sun

Painting of a close-up view of a pale, pinkish stone cliff with a V-shaped dip against a blue sky.
© Georgia O'Keeffe Museum/ Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

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  • Painting of a close-up view of a pale, pinkish stone cliff with a V-shaped dip against a blue sky.

Date:

1943

Artist:

Georgia O’Keeffe (American, 1887–1986)

About this artwork

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.

Status

On View, Gallery 265

Department

Arts of the Americas

Artist

Georgia O'Keeffe

Title

The White Place in Sun

Place

Abiquiu (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1943

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

71.1 × 55.9 cm (28 × 22 in.)

Credit Line

Bequest of Paul and Gabriella Rosenbaum

Reference Number

2002.73

Copyright

© Georgia O'Keeffe Museum/ Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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