Self Portrait with Monkey Flashcards
Opening sentence
Frida Kahlo, a German-Mexican artist, demonstrates a close connection to her Mexican heritage whilst transcending normalised stereotypes of beauty, illustrated through her piece SPWM
Depiction of subject matter
Utilising brightly coloured oil paints, Kahlo employs a fine brushstroke as she depicts herself gazing directly at the viewer, with a solemn and rather stern expression. She places herself in front of a flourishing background of violent green leaves and a tall wispy Yucca plant, as a small monkey drapes an arm protectively around her shoulder.
Interpretation of subject matter
In this instance, the monkey represented in the portrait is symbolic of loyalty and tenderness, contrasting to is more primal portrayal in other cultures. Due to their wild natures, monkeys are often associated with lust and fertility in Mexican culture, which may have reflected not only in Kahlo’s desire to connect with her cultural roots, but also express her frustration and inadequacy to have children.
