Introduction to Western Art

Griffin Hall Visual Analysis 4/30/15 Dr. Arizzoli Untitled (Abstraction, Lake George) (1918) by Georgia O’Keeffe Oil on Board Viewed at the University of Mississippi Museum on 4/9/15 A Different View of Lake George Georgia O’Keeffe’s piece, Untitled (Abstraction, Lake George ) is an abstraction of a painting of Lake George. O’Keeffe’s piece is an oil based painting on a board. It can only be seen from one side because it is a one-sided piece that is hanging on a wall. The painting is an abstract painting of a scene that O’Keeffe may have possibly witnessed at Lake George. It is currently located in the University of Mississippi Museum in Oxford, MS. It is on loan from a private collector, Seymour Lawrence. This painting, Untitled (Abstraction, Lake George)¸ is a very unique looking painting. Given that it is an abstraction, there is no solid imagery in the painting. The colors flow together in a way that doesn’t give the picture a defined foreground and background. There is a stark contrast in colors in the piece. The bottom right of the painting has very bright, fire-like colors and is surrounded by ocean-like colors. However, there are several aspects of the painting that suggest certain feelings and emphasis. The blue and green colors seem to have a flowing motion which may give way to the flowing waters of Lake George. These colors appear to represent the background of the piece, but as stated before, there isn’t a well-defined background and foreground. The piece is focused around fire-like figure on the bottom right of the painting. This figure is where the viewer is immediately drawn to. This figure of red, orange, yellow, white, and even pink colors that vary in shades and tints, is clearly the emphasis of the painting. One could also suggest that this part of the painting is the focal point of the piece. The highlight of the piece is also within this fire-like figure. There is a very bright, off-white color at the center of the figure where the viewer is immediately drawn to. O’Keeffe does not use any distinct lines, but there are implied lines that draw the attention of the viewer towards the fire-like figure. There is no real rhythm or repetition within the painting. This is common among abstractions. There is no light source on the painting; however, the fire-like figure gives the piece its own light. O’Keeffe’s painting has a general implied motion of flowing to it. The dark blue and green colors seem to flow towards the red and orange colors. Viewers see these colors as water- like figures, possibly flowing to put out the fire. The fire seems to have a raging, flowing nature to it. It seems to be growing in a way, rising higher from the bottom of the painting. The fact that the viewer cannot see the origin or starting point of the fire suggests that it may be quite large and getting larger. It seems to be like a virus almost, slowly taking over the whole painting as the darker colors try to put it out. There is a small figure of green on the left side of the painting which could represent the greenery that surrounds the lake, but the fire seems to be heading towards it. O’Keeffe’s abstraction has two vary distinct set of colors, which give the painting a sense of unity in the contrasting hues. There is not much variety, as the painting has two main parts, a dark one and a light one. Given that this is a two-dimensional painting, the viewer can only see it from one side and is limited in the viewpoints he or she can take to analyze the piece. There is not much of a sense of depth within the painting and there is no clear horizon line or vanishing point. Every part of the painting seems to be on the same level, other than the possibility of the fire consuming other parts of the painting.

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