How Georgia O'Keeffe painted architecture

As of November 1, 2026, a new exhibition at the Detroit Institute of Arts titled "Georgia O'Keeffe: Architecture" is showcasing an unfamiliar aspect of the artist's work. Curator Ben Colman highlights that while many associate O'Keeffe primarily with her paintings of flowers and desert landscapes, only about 10% of her artwork focuses on flowers. The exhibit explores how O'Keeffe captured light, atmosphere, and texture in man-made structures across various settings, including cityscapes and rural environments. Born in 1887 on a Wisconsin dairy farm, O'Keeffe's inspiration came from diverse locations such as her home state, Manhattan, and eventually New Mexico. The show aims to present an autobiographical view of her architectural subjects, challenging perceptions about typically feminine compositions in art.