Which national arts honor did Georgia O'Keeffe receive in 1985?

Georgia O'Keeffe received the National Medal of Arts in 1985. President Ronald Reagan presented the honor, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the arts in the United States.

O'Keeffe was among the early recipients of the medal, established by Congress in 1984. Her selection reflected the importance of her long career in American modernism and her influence on generations of artists and viewers.

The National Medal of Arts is distinct from the Presidential Medal of Freedom. O'Keeffe received the latter in 1977 and the National Medal of Arts eight years later, making both dates important milestones in her public recognition.

By 1985, O'Keeffe was living in New Mexico and had largely withdrawn from active painting because of declining eyesight. She remained a major cultural figure, and the medal honored her complete artistic legacy rather than one particular painting.