White Shell with Red

A stark white shell dominates this close-up composition, its smooth, cool curves contrasting with the vibrant red background. The shell's opening, a deep crevice, draws the eye inward, hinting at both organic form and abstract shape. O'Keeffe used pastel on a laminate board for this piece, a medium that allowed her to achieve both the soft, almost powdery texture of the shell and the intense, saturated color of the crimson behind it. The interplay of light and shadow across the shell's ridges and valleys creates a sense of monumental scale, transforming a small natural object into a powerful, almost architectural presence. This work, created in 1938, reflects the artist's enduring fascination with natural forms, often enlarged and simplified to emphasize their inherent beauty and abstract qualities.