Final answer:
The ornithological paintings by John James Audubon are the ones permanently on display at the Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, not the flower paintings by Georgia O'Keeffe.
Step-by-step explanation:
The orchid paintings that are permanently on view at the Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, are by John James Audubon. Audubon was a noted naturalist and artist renowned for his detailed and vivid illustrations of American birds in their habitats. His approach of showing birds in close-up range against detailed backgrounds made his work stand out, as seen in the celebrated book The Birds of America. Although Georgia O'Keeffe is well-known for her large-scale, close-up paintings of flowers, which prominently showcase their colors and textures, it is Audubon's work that is featured in the Smithsonian's permanent exhibit.