Jack-in-the-Pulpit No. VI

Jack-in-the-Pulpit No. VI is a powerful oil on canvas created by Georgia O'Keeffe in 1930. This work belongs to a significant series of six paintings exploring the iconic woodland flower, the Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum). Executed during the peak of American Modernism, the piece exemplifies O'Keeffe's commitment to monumentalizing natural forms. The series, produced largely between 1926 to 1930, marks a pivotal moment in the artist’s exploration of abstraction derived from the intimate study of plants, moving away from explicit representation toward an analysis of form.

O'Keeffe employs dramatic shifts in scale and tight cropping to transform the relatively small botanical subject into an imposing, near-abstract entity. The painting emphasizes the dark, curving spathe and the central spadix, pushing the boundaries between realistic rendering and pure shape. Unlike many of her earlier floral paintings, which often relied on vibrant color saturation, Jack-in-the-Pulpit No. VI utilizes a restrained, subtle palette of grays, blacks, and creams. This refined approach draws the viewer's focus solely to the contours, shadows, and interior depth of the flower, underscoring the sensual geometry that characterizes much of her output during the 1926 to 1950 period.

Recognized globally as an essential work of American art, this painting demonstrates why O'Keeffe became one of the country's most celebrated artists. The work currently resides in the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., where it contributes to the definitive overview of 20th-century American painting. The enduring popularity of this masterwork ensures its visibility, frequently inspiring fine art prints and scholarly review across institutions dedicated to preserving iconic American culture.