Frida Khalo

Question 1

Colour

Answer 1

• The cool blue colours in background create depth by pushing the background back.
• The warm bright red colour of the fruit gives the work a vibrancy and helps push the fruit forward, this helps create a focal point and depth.

Question 2

Tone

Answer 2

• The range of earthy tones used in the rotting fruit and surface they sit on represents the desert and create a sense of place.
• Dark shadows under the fruit help to create the idea of 3D form in the fruit adding a sense of realism and depth.
• Contrasting tone of the seeds and the white flesh of the Pitahayas create a pattern and attracts your attention.

Question 3

Shape

Answer 3

• The white circular cross sections of cut fruit contrast with the red skin and act attract your attention. They are surreal and represent eyes staring out at the viewer. Confronting you with the subject – death.
• The repeated shapes of the fruit grouped together create a strong focal point.

Question 4

Line

Answer 4

• The skeleton points his scythe back into the painting. This acts as a leading line and draws your eye back into the work.
• The spiky cactus is conveyed using clean thin brush strokes.
• The repeated line in the skeleton’s ribs uses contrasting black and
white tones to create a pattern. This attracts your attention

Question 5

Texture

Answer 5

• The smoothness of paint in the skin of the fruit helps to set the fruit apart from the rough desert terrain.
• Stippled brushwork on the rocks helps to create a rough texture.

Question 6

Pattern

Answer 6

• The contrasting tone of the seeds and the white flesh of the Pitahayas create a pattern and attracts your attention.

Question 7

Subject Matter/imagery

Answer 7

• The contrasting tone of the seeds and the white flesh of the Pitahayas create a pattern and attracts your attention.

Question 8

Composition or arrangement

Answer 8

• The contrasting tone of the seeds and the white flesh of the Pitahayas create a pattern and attracts your attention.

Question 9

Media handling and techniques

Answer 9

• Kahlo has used stippled brushwork on the rocks helps to create a rough texture.
• Smooth and blended brushwork on the fruit helps to create a smooth texture.
• Fine brushwork on the cactus creates a sharp prickly effect.
• Small specks of contrasting tone representing the seeds contrast
with the white flesh of the Pitahayas creating a pattern and attracting your attention.

Question 10

Mood/ Atmosphere

Answer 10

• Dark shadows beneath the fruit place them firmly on the ground and create a dramatic, menacing atmosphere.
• The white circular cross sections of cut fruit contrast with the red skin and act attract your attention. They are surreal and represent eyes staring out at the viewer. Confronting you with the subject – death.
• The dark red skin of the Pitahayas also creates a dramatic atmosphere and could represent blood.

Question 11

Style

Answer 11

• Dark shadows beneath the fruit place them firmly on the ground and create a dramatic, menacing atmosphere.
• The white circular cross sections of cut fruit contrast with the red skin and act attract your attention. They are surreal and represent eyes staring out at the viewer. Confronting you with the subject – death.
• The dark red skin of the Pitahayas also creates a dramatic atmosphere and could represent blood.

Question 12

Scale

Answer 12

• The small scale of the skeleton in comparison to the fruit is surreal and unusual.
• The Pitahayas are large; they dominate the work filling the canvas.
• The work is under a meter wide. This would make it quite intimate
and personal. This is appropriate to the personal subject matter.