Jack-in-the-Pulpit No. 3 is a seminal oil on canvas painting created by Georgia O'Keeffe in 1930. This piece belongs to a sequence of six closely related works exploring the structure of the Arisaema triphyllum plant, commonly known as the jack-in-the-pulpit. O'Keeffe employed the oil medium to render the subject with the smooth, almost enameled clarity characteristic of her style during this highly productive period of American modernism. The work presents an extremely magnified, nearly abstract view of the flower’s spathe (the hood) and spadix (the central stalk).
Created during the period spanning 1926 to 1950, this canvas exemplifies O'Keeffe’s unique approach to subject matter. By eliminating contextual surroundings and focusing on monumental scale, she transformed a small, natural form into a powerful, almost architectural icon. O'Keeffe used this strategy to delve into the intrinsic geometry and subtle color variation present in nature, pushing the boundaries between representation and pure abstraction. In the overall Jack-in-the-Pulpit series, O'Keeffe systematically shifted from naturalistic starting points toward the highly simplified, dominating forms found in Jack-in-the-Pulpit No. 3, where the deep violet and creamy tones of the hood fill the entire frame.
The American culture of the 1930s provided a fertile ground for O'Keeffe’s distinct vision, allowing her to move beyond European influences to create a uniquely native modernism. This particular work, noted for its subtle gradations of green, violet, and white, remains a critically important study in early 20th-century art. It is representative of her profound investigations into floral anatomy and the perception of scale. The painting is now held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it continues to anchor exhibitions focusing on major American modernists. As a significant image from her mature output, high-quality prints of this work are frequently accessed through public domain and educational art collections.
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