What first inspired Georgia O'Keeffe's series of paintings based on flowers?

• A. an interest in geometric patterns.
• B. a focus on urban landscapes.
• C. a commission from a patron.
• D. an interest in the shapes and colors of nature.

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that her flower paintings come from a deep fascination with the shapes and colors found in nature. O’Keeffe studied blooms closely and magnified their petals and contours to reveal the essential lines and color relationships that define each flower. By focusing on natural form and color—how petals bend, how light plays on surfaces, and where color boundaries meet—she turns real flowers into abstract explorations of nature’s beauty. This work isn’t driven by geometric patterns, urban scenes, or a patron’s commission; it emerges from direct observation of natural shapes and hues.