O'Keeffe and Stieglitz: An American Romance

by Benita Eisler

Almost 24 years his junior, Georgia O'Keeffe became for Alfred Stieglitz a near icon of American art--as well as his wife. In a marvelous, multileveled biography, Benita Eisler traces the epic and stormy relationship of these incomparable artists, from their consuming ambition to their sexual experimentation.

Genres: Biography, Art, History, Photography, Nonfiction, Art History, Unfinished

560 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1991

Reviews

[Feisty Harriet · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great resource of the relationship between O'Keeffe and Stieglitz, both professional and personal. Overall, the general line is that Stieglitz--the more powerful socially and financially when they met--systematically exploited O'Keeffe because he viewed it as his right as an older male. He loathed women, especially independent or self-sufficient women, and as soon as O'Keeffe began to stand on her own their romantic relationship tanked. As she continued to gain success as an artist their professional relationship (where he was her business manager) fell apart. Stieglitz continued to prey on younger, innocent women throughout his lifetime, while he and O'Keeffe remained friendly.

Ok, so Stieglitz's behavior and personality aside, my biggest issue with this book is the Freudian background the author ascribes to almost everything: every relationship, every piece of art, every major action. Throughout her life, O'Keeffe denied inherent sexual content in her paintings. Her first, well-attended show, included O'Keeffe's most abstract, innovative paintings of her lifetime, side-by-side with dozens of Stieglitz photographs of a very naked O'Keeffe (honestly, this was clearly Stieglitz "marking" his territory on this new artist). Reviewers saw naked bodies and Georgia's cropped-to-enlarge genitalia, and saw the same images in her artwork. When she started painting close-up images of flowers--you know, the centers of them, where floral sexual organ actually live--those reviewers demanded that she still was painting women's genitalia, despite O'Keeffe's insistence that she was just painting flowers. This author seemed to think that, despite ALL her public statements otherwise, Georgia was always imbuing sex into her paintings and all her romantic or sexual relationships were to replace a semi-absent and unsatisfying father. That annoys me. O'Keeffe was terribly embarrassed by the exhibitionism of O'Keeffe's showing of photographs of her, I just don't think that she was being coy in denying that her whole painting sensibility was based on sex.

I also think it is possible that O'Keeffe falls somewhere along the spectrum for Asperberg's Syndrome, her lack of warmth in social interactions, need for privacy and time alone, and her lack of long-lasting, deep emotional relationships suggest something of that order. However, it could also be that a strong woman who is constantly exploited sexually, emotionally, and as an artist developed such a thick skin to protect herself from further hurt and damage.

Minus one star for the incessant harping on a constant underlying sexual tension and Freudian behavior by the author. Not every action, every painting, and every relationship for all primary characters are based on sex. Dah.

[Susan Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best (in my opinion) of the early 1990s biographies, O'KEEFFE AND STIEGLITZ is a critical, unblinking look at this fascinating couple. Eisler's book offers a demythologizing corrective to the too-appreciative studies that focus on the revolutionary art of both the painter and the photographer. O'KEEFFE AND STIEGLITZ pushes deeper and more darkly into the psychological complexities that make these artists utterly human.

So far as I know, Eisler was the first to spot and describe the "Lily hoax": Stieglitz announced a fraudulent sale of six O'Keeffe panels for $25k--a fabulous price at the time. Eisler: it was a "fabrication designed to publicize O'Keeffe and raise her prices." It was a metaphor for what happened later, when Juan Hamilton entered the artist's life.

You might not want to tackle this biography if you don't want your preconceptions challenged. But if you read any part of the book, you must read the last line, a quotation from O'Keeffe and a judgment on both Stieglitz and herself: "Art is a wicked thing. It is what we are."

[Mitzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read - it not only covers the O'Keeffe and Stieglitz relationship and career, but also the American art scene of the time period. In fact I would say at least a third of the book is devoted to information about the people that surrounded O & S.

If you want a rose colored glasses view of this iconic couple, look elsewhere - this is a down and dirty look at them as real, flawed people.

[David Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some romance! Two tortured souls, apparently made for each other. Good overview of American modern art of the ’20-’40s.

[M. Sarki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though a longish book, there was plenty of historical information available in it and names for me to look up if interested. Not a great piece of writing here, but certainly passable for a biography. Of course, there was nothing of the author in this book, no personal connection of herself to her subjects except for the obvious disdain for Georgia O'Keeffe's often cold and judgmental abruptness toward other people. I also felt the author did not particularly like that Georgia enjoyed her sex and the partaking of it with others of the same. But I took this reading of mine as more of a textbook study of two artists who happened to have a personal relationship with each other. There was nothing I can take with me from here except that these two became old too soon, were often cruel, and remained that way somewhat happily for many years.

[Sull · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really good. Fascinating people, in an interesting relationship (they never married). B. Eisler does not spare either one. Their idiocies, petty meannesses, crazy behaviours, as well as their amazing talents & unerring artistic instincts are laid out on the table for all to see.

Husband's family has a connection with the Lake George property where both O'Keefe & Stieglitz spent a lot of their lives. They alternated between LG & various Manhattan studios, flats, hotels. LG was a constant in their lives & figured prominently in both their art. So after I finished this book, I gave it to Husband to read--wonder what he will make of it. . . .

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always being a fan of Georgia O'Keeffe's flower paintings, I was interested in reading a biography of her life and her life with Alfred Stieglitz. Ms. Eisler's 1991 book was a perfect one to read. So much information about their lives and the people around them. So wonderfully documented. So many lovely pictures throughout the book. Just a fantastic job.

I am still a fan of O'Keeffe's painting, and Stieglitz's photography was probably very good for the times, but I am disappointed in their personal lives. I can't say I came away with much respect for either of them. But the book was certainly well worth the read.

[Kassandra Huntley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very eye opening about the life of Georgia O'Keefe. It details her rise from art teacher to a star of the artistic elite as well as her relationship with Alfred Stieglitz, renowned photographer.

You come away understanding the depth of the woman and the different moods of the two as a passionate and creative couple.

[C B · Rating 2 out of 5]

loved the information, but hated the writing. too much freudian interpretation. got to page 383 and gave it back to the library. i would have appreciated a more concise bio.

[Michael Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fascinated by both of these great artists individually and found this love story well researched, well written and touched a few cords.

[Sarah Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This dual biography follows the lives and work of renowned painter Georgia O'Keeffee and her long-time partner and famous photographer, art patron, and gallery owner Alfred Stieglitz. Born in 1887 to a well to do farming family, O'Keeffe and her siblings ended up largely destitute in Virginia after her father squandered the family money. In college, she began really pursuing her interest and supported her work through teaching art at various colleges and schools. A turning point to her career came when she met gallery owner and photographer Alfred Stieglitz, who was taken aback by her work. Stieglitz was much older, (unhappily) married with a daughter, and from a rather prosperous background. Through his promotion and her own talent and connections, O'Keeffee became a well known and prosperous artist who eventually supported him in his final years. O'Keeffee lived forty years after Stieglitz and embraced life in the mid-west. When she died, she left an estate worth a considerable fortune and hundreds of pieces of work.

The author does an excellent job of not only conveying the details of their lives and their work, but also the deeply complicated psychological motivation behind their life choices. While the title terms theirs a "romance," in many ways it wasn't so much. Although drawn to each other, both were the type to fall in and out with people regularly and both had other lovers throughout their long relationship. Both were deeply flawed individuals and were frequently cruelest to those who loved them best, ruthlessly dropping friends, and insulting friends and relatives over real and perceived slights. Georgia in particularly seemed to lash out and deliberately attempt to hurt those that slighted her or of whom she was jealous; "that she was frequently and gratuitously cruel is documented by all who knew her" (398). Their lives mostly consisted of time spent in New York City among other artists, with Alfred's family at his summer home, and for Georgia, out west where she felt the most inspired and at home. In the last years of their relationship, it was largely a business and friend transaction, with Georgia conducting relationships with both men and women out west and arranging for Alfred's care from afar.

A well researched look at two larger than life American artists of the twentieth century. Their lives and art defied societal norms. In a world that mostly demanded that women marry and become mothers, Georgia instead wore what she wanted, loved who she wanted, lived where she wanted, and managed to become successful and wealthy in her own right.

[Crista Lash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally finished this book (took me 5 months exactly)! It was a long read, but a good one - I took my time googling each artist and painting/work of art mentioned in the book. Along the way, I visited the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and picked up a few more books which contain color photos of her paintings.

This book was a fascinating glimpse into O’Keeffe, Stieglitz, and the bold artists who shaped modern American art. I look forward to continue studying this era—and to get back to New Mexico to wander the places Georgia held so dearly.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an extremely enlightening book about a very famous American couple. It blew me away because they had a very toxic relationship although they remained friends until Stieglitz's death.
Neither of them was particularly endearing and both could be downright mean....even to their best friends. How they played off each other through the years to advance each others and their own careers is eye opening.

[Pat Lawlor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faascinating, detailed (too detailed??) life of the two of them from when they meet to each of their deaths. I learned a LOT, even though I thought I knew a fair amount about O'Keefe. The best parts for me is how she developed her different art styles throughout her life, and the people and life experiences that effected her art. An amazing woman who was fascinating throughout her life. A good read!!

[Ann Otto · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fan of O'Keefe's work I did learn some new facts about her life. However, most relationships, work, and life situations presented in the book are described in the context of sexuality, essence of womanhood, etc. Often this appeared to be questionably necessary and redundant. Based on this, we question her conclusions about the myriad of characters in the book.

[Akshaya Amarnath · Rating 2 out of 5]

every five seconds she has to bring up the fact that she believes o’keeffe/stieglitz is a narcissist because of some freudian or lacanian idea. who honestly cares. why would you write a 500 page book about two artists you clearly lowkey high key hate. i’m baffled

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating read!

[Glenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to read this in preparation for the exhibit at NCMA. They were fascinating artists. I would not have enjoyed being their friend!!

[Jwt Jan50 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always been fascinated by O'Keefe's art work. Found this trolling through a used book store. Not ordinary people. Still, good for me to read outside my comfort zone.

[Alissa Roy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lost a lot of respect for both of these artists but ain’t that usually the way. Content was interesting. Too many opinions for a bio though.

[richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to finish the book - about 1/3 into it.

[Allison Frederick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provided a very different picture of O'Keeffe than Anita Politzer's book but more comprehensive, perhaps, and answers questions. Well written and interesting read.

[Sally H.]

This biography of Georgia O'Keeffe and Alfred Stieglitz gives an description of their lives together and the extent of each of their personal relationships with all the different people that their lives touch.
Without Stieglitz, O'Keeffe would have never become the success that she accomplished.

This book I have is a First Edition