Which photographer first exhibited Georgia O'Keeffe's abstract drawings at his 291 gallery?

Alfred Stieglitz first exhibited Georgia O'Keeffe's abstract drawings at his 291 gallery.

In 1916, photographer and gallery owner Alfred Stieglitz showed a group of O'Keeffe’s charcoal abstractions at his New York gallery, commonly known as 291. He had encountered the drawings through the artist and educator Anita Pollitzer, who brought them to his attention. Stieglitz was impressed enough to display them without first obtaining O'Keeffe’s permission in the usual way.

The exhibition helped launch O'Keeffe’s professional career in New York. Stieglitz initially did not identify the artist publicly, which contributed to curiosity around the works. The gallery itself had been an important venue for European and American modernism, presenting artists such as Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. O'Keeffe later became Stieglitz’s wife, but her artistic importance extended well beyond his early support.