MEXICAN MODERNISM

Question 1

Kahlo, Self Portrait with Monkeys, 1943

Answer 1

• Self-portrait in which Frida includes her pet monkeys. - The background is one of tropical plants which is a common background theme used in many of her paintings.
• Portraying herself in an academic setting.
• May be portraying herself as the teacher surrounded by her four remaining students (the four monkeys).

Question 2

María Izquierdo, Bride from Papantla 1944

Answer 2

• Be considered as autobiographical.
• She was part of an arranged marriage, having been made to wed at the young age of 14 and quickly thereafter having three children.
• María Izquierdo, often “painted the unspeakable,”
• In this case she explored the common theme of the “unhappy bride.”

Question 3

Rivera, Calla Lily Vendor 1943

Answer 3

• Representation of an indigenous woman with a huge bundle of calla lilies
• Her body is completely enclosed within these fabulously beautiful sculptural flowers calla lilies are these beautiful abstract forms on their own
• Exploring their expressive qualities and here he’s handling the color and the light in a way that makes this canvas glow

Question 4

Rivera, Recreated version, Man, Controller of the

Universe 1934

Answer 4

• Controversial portrait of Lenin
• Depicting arcs of light created by giant lenses anchoring the left and right edges of the space
• Communist overtones
• Rockefeller Center mural was destroyed in 1934, Diego Rivera recreated this version