Frida Kahlo

Question 1

Frida khalo

Answer 1

FridaKahloaMexicanpainterknownforhermany portraits, self-portraits, and works inspired by the nature and artifacts of Mexico.

Herpaintingsoftenhadstrongautobiographicalelements and mixed realism with fantasy.

She is known for painting about her experience of chronic pain due to Polio she contracted at the age of 6 as well as a bus accident at the age of 18.

Question 2

What did her paintings feature

Answer 2

Kahlo’s paintings often feature root imagery, with roots growing out of her body to tie her to the ground.

This reflects in a positive sense the theme of personal growth; in a negative sense of being trapped in a particular place, time and situation; and in an ambiguous sense of how memories of the past influence the present for good and/or ill.

Question 3

“The Two Fridas”

Answer 3

• viewer able to see double figures of subject which is the two characters which in this case is Frida who painted the artwork
• Each figure has characteristics of their own that stand out from one another. One aspect that stands out the most are the outfits that is worn by both figures.
• On the left Frida, she is wearing a European dress and on the right, she appears to be wearing a rather “traditional” dress and this is to showcase her heritage.
• Frida’s mother was Mexican and her father was German.In addition to the dresses showing the two sides of her heritage,
• dresses were also a way for Frida to cover up a disability that she has struggled with as a child, and this led to complications with her legs to be a different thickness and size, which ultimately hindered her ability to walk properly and limp.
• The use of two different dresses in the self-portrait can also be connected back to her relationship with her Husband Diego Rivera. Which may have been one of the reasons why Frida could have chosen to use her heritage in order to demonstrate what aspects her husband appreciated more. It is said — that Diego preferred Frida to dress in her traditional Mexican dresses, which are a blouse and Tehuana Skirt.
• On the other hand, the white European dress resembles the other side that Diego did not appreciate so much.

Question 4

Blood represented

Answer 4

• Another detail that stands out to the double-figure is the use of blood which can represent the struggles and all the pain Frida went through during her lifetime.
• The usage of blood and the way each Frida’s hearts are being portrayed differently for each figure distinguishes the treatment towards the other non-traditional Frida.

Question 5

Comparison between the two figures

Answer 5

• Another detail that stands out to the double-figure is the use of blood which can represent the struggles and all the pain Frida went through during her lifetime.
• The usage of blood and the way each Frida’s hearts are being portrayed differently for each figure distinguishes the treatment towards the other non-traditional Frida.

Question 6

Message of the TWO FIRDAS

Answer 6

Although the struggles of her pain and culture is demonstrated tremendously throughout her self portrait and despite the negative connotations used for the Frida on the left with the usage of bloody clothing and double figures, she fundamentally accepts these ‘flaws’ as part of her bieng.

Question 7

Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird:

Answer 7

In this portrait, Frida Kahlo faces the viewer with a background of large green leaves and a yellow leaf right behind her.

• The thorns are around her neck like a necklace which is held by a black monkey.
• Her neck is bleeding from the piercing thorns.
• On the right side behind her shoulder is a black cat. A hummingbird is hanging on the thorn which knots around her throat.
• Her expression is calm and solemn. It also seems she is patiently enduring the pain.

Question 8

Background:message

Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird:

Answer 8

• Clearly painted during a dark time in her life, shows her wish for love renewed with the little bird dangling from her necklace of thorns. In Mexican culture, the hummingbird is a symbol of good luck— but notice the black cat ready to pounce.
• Like many other of her paintings, this artwork is a lot akin to a painted assortment of symbols.

-Every element in this painting gives specific clues to Kahlo’s mental state, perhaps none more than her still, direct, emotionless gaze that seems to express the immediacy of her pain.
Frida Kahlo, ”Self-Portrait with Thorn