What name did Georgia O'Keeffe give the dark New Mexico landscape near Ghost Ranch?

Georgia O'Keeffe called the dark New Mexico landscape near Ghost Ranch “The Black Place.”

The Black Place was a striking area of dark, eroded hills and cliffs near Ghost Ranch. O'Keeffe painted it repeatedly, treating the unusual formations as a subject worthy of close observation rather than simply as background scenery.

Her paintings of the site show how she transformed a specific landscape into a recurring visual idea. The dark forms contrast with the bright skies and pale desert surfaces often associated with northern New Mexico. The paintings also demonstrate her interest in cropping, simplification, and repeated views.

The Black Place should not be confused with The White Place, another landscape subject O'Keeffe painted near Abiquiu. The names describe different geological settings and are part of the vocabulary used to identify her New Mexico series.