Profile of the Day: Georgia O’Keeffe

Who are the artists in your family tree? On this day in 1887, American artist Georgia O’Keeffe was born in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

Image: Georgia O’Keeffe / Library of Congress

The second of seven children, Georgia Totto O’Keeffe grew up on a dairy farm. She was named after her maternal grandfather, George Victor Otto, a Hungarian who had immigrated to the United States.

After the death of her husband, O’Keeffe moved to New Mexico where she found inspiration in the New Mexico landscape. During this time, O’Keeffe produced some of her most well-known pieces. Known as one of the most significant painters of the 20th century, O’Keeffe’s works are remembered for their bold innovation and distinctive imagery. Today, she is often considered to be the “Mother of American Modernism.”

O’Keeffe died on March 6, 1986 at the age of 98. Her body was cremated and her ashes were scattered at Cerro Pedernal, which she had once claimed as “her mountain” and featured in several of her paintings.

How are you related to the artist? Explore her family tree on Geni and discover your connection to Georgia O’Keeffe!

View Georgia O’Keeffe’s Geni Profile