Georgia O’Keeffe: During the second half of the nineteenth century, the exotic South African calla lily was introduced to the United States, and its distinctive spear-shaped leaves and yellow and white blooms began to become a significant subject in America.

The flower became even more popular with artists after Freud provided a sexual interpretation of its forms that emphasized its masculine and feminine nature, according to neew and complicated levels of meaning to depictions of it. The calla lily soon became a recurring motif by important painters and photographers in the early 1930s; O’Keeffe became known as “The Lady of the Lili,” a name she hated initially.  – Georgia O’Keeffe and the Calla Lily In American Art.

Freud said they were sexual, and Katharine Hepburn (as Terry Randall) said in Stage Door in 1937, “The calla lilies are in bloom again. It is such a strange flower, suitable for any occasion. I carried them on my wedding day. Now I place them here in memory of something that has died.”

Then O’Keeffe discovered them. They were launched and famous. I just got the book today.

When I began taking photos of the calla earlier in the year, I had yet to learn of its interest and rich history. But I will learn more about it and take more calla photos now. I’m hooked.

Note: As an experiment, I’m adding the Pantry Art I’ve been publishing to the flower art I’ve been doing. Both are affairs of the heart. I’m just trying it out to see how it feels. In my heart, they are one, and all are very beautiful.  —- Jon

_______

From the Cambridge Pantry Chapel.

There is a sexual feeling to the calla; I didn’t see it at first.

The Cambridge pantry has all kinds of dark corners.

The calla became internationally famous in 1937.

Reserved.

Yellow calla.