Kahlo

Question 1

Subject matter/imagery

Answer 1

A hummingbird is usually a symbol of luck &love in Mexican culture. Here it hangs from the thorn necklace dead- suggesting good luck reversed

The monkey in her shoulder, known to be a gift from her husband Diego. Symbolises Diego himself in this painting and the pain he has caused her. This is shown further through the way the monkey is pulling the thorn necklace causing Kahlo pain.

Question 2

Media handling and techniques

Answer 2

Kahlo has used oil paint in a careful and controlled way to create a highly detailed portrait

In the sky she has used a dabbing or stippled effect to create a patchy texture

Question 3

Scale

Answer 3

Close cropping and a focus on Kahlo’s head and shoulders adds to the drama of the painting

The paintings small size compared with the large amount of detail crammed into it also adds the overall visual impact of the piece giving it a claustrophobic feel

Question 4

Style

Answer 4

Kahlo has painted in a surrealist style, you can see this in the strange elements painted all over the piece

Kahlo was heavily influenced by Mexican folk art and Naïve art, this can be seen in her use of primitive style and bright colours

Question 5

Composition or arrangement

Answer 5

The painting is small in size but yet is very visually crowded, this further enhances the intensity of the painting

Kahlo has also provided a blue band of sky at the top which provides an area of calm in an otherwise busy composition