The 10 Most Famous Artworks of Frida Kahlo
From Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird to The Two Fridas...
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Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderón (6 July 1907 – 13 July 1954) was a Mexican painter known for her many portraits, self-portraits, and works inspired by the nature and artifacts of Mexico. Inspired by the country’s popular culture, she employed a naïvefolk art style to explore questions of identity, postcolonialism, gender, class, and race in Mexican society. Her paintings often had strong autobiographical elements and mixed realism with fantasy. In addition to belonging to the post-revolutionary Mexicayotl movement, which sought to define a Mexican identity, Kahlo has been described as a surrealist or magical realist. She is known for painting about her experience of chronic pain.
Kahlo’s work as an artist remained relatively unknown until the late 1970s, when her work was rediscovered by art historians and political activists. By the early 1990s, she had become not only a recognized figure in art history, but also regarded as an icon for Chicanos, the feminism movement and the LGBTQ+ movement. Kahlo’s work has been celebrated internationally as emblematic of Mexican national and indigenous traditions and by feminists for what is seen as its uncompromising depiction of the female experience and form.
niood lists the 10 Most Famous Artworks of Frida Kahlo:
1. Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, 1940
Dimensions: 61 cm x 47 cm
Created: 1940
Subject: Self-portrait of Frida Kahlo with a thorn necklace and a hummingbird
Period: 20th century, Surrealism
Medium: Oil on canvas
Genres: Self-portrait, Surrealism
“Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird” is a 1940 painting by the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. The painting depicts Kahlo wearing a thorn necklace and a dead hummingbird pinned to her hair. The painting is considered to be a self-portrait, as it shows Kahlo’s face and features. The thorn necklace is a reference to the crown of thorns worn by Jesus Christ during his crucifixion, and is a symbol of the suffering and pain that Kahlo experienced throughout her life.
Kahlo’s identification with indigenous Mexican culture affected her painting aesthetic. By using powerful iconography from indigenous Mexican culture, Kahlo situates herself in a tradition of rebellion against colonial forces and male rule. The dead hummingbird which hangs around her neck is considered a good luck charm for falling in love in Mexican folklore. An alternative interpretation is that the hummingbird pendant is a symbol of Huitzilopochtli, the Aztec god of war. Meanwhile, the black panther is symbolic of bad luck and death and the monkey is a symbol of evil. The natural landscape, which normally symbolizes fertility, contrasts with the deathly imagery in the foreground.
The painting is one of Kahlo’s most famous works and is notable for its powerful imagery and use of color. The vibrant colors of the painting contrast with the dark and somber mood of the subject matter, creating a powerful emotional effect. The painting is also notable for its attention to detail, particularly in the depiction of the thorn necklace and hummingbird, which are rendered with great precision and detail. Overall, “Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird” is a powerful and evocative work of art that speaks to the themes of pain, suffering, and resilience that are central to Kahlo’s artistic vision.
2. The Two Fridas, 1939
Dimensions: 173 cm × 173 cm
Created: 1939
Subject: Two depictions of Frida Kahlo sitting side-by-side, one wearing traditional Mexican clothing and the other wearing European-style clothing
Period: 20th century, Surrealism
Medium: Oil on canvas
Genres: Portrait, Surrealism
“The Two Fridas” is a 1939 painting by Frida Kahlo that depicts two versions of herself seated side by side. The painting is notable for its striking use of symbolism, which highlights the theme of duality and the complexity of Kahlo’s identity.
One of the most prominent symbols in the painting is the heart. Both Fridas are depicted with exposed hearts, which are connected by an artery that is being cut by one of the Fridas. The hearts are a symbol of love, passion, and emotion, and their exposed state suggests vulnerability and pain. The cutting of the artery by one of the Fridas is interpreted as a representation of the emotional pain caused by Kahlo’s separation from her husband, Diego Rivera.
Another important symbol in the painting is the clothing worn by the two Fridas. The Frida on the left is dressed in traditional Mexican clothing, while the Frida on the right is dressed in modern Western clothing. This contrast highlights the duality of Kahlo’s identity, which was shaped by both her Mexican heritage and her experiences living in a globalized world. The painting can also be interpreted as a commentary on the tension between tradition and modernity, and the struggle to reconcile different cultural identities.
3. Self Portrait with Cropped Hair, 1940
Dimensions: 40 cm x 28 cm
Created: 1940
Subject: Self-portrait of Frida Kahlo with cropped hair and masculine clothing
Period: 20th century, Surrealism
Medium: Oil on canvas
Genres: Self-portrait, Surrealism
“Self Portrait with Cropped Hair” is a 1940 painting by the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. The painting is notable for its striking use of symbolism, which highlights the theme of identity and the complex emotions that Kahlo was experiencing at the time.
One of the most prominent symbols in the painting is the cropped hair. In the painting, Kahlo is depicted with her long hair cut short and strewn around her, suggesting a sense of emotional turmoil and confusion. The cropped hair is also a symbol of rebellion and independence, as Kahlo had cut her hair short as a way of expressing her individuality and challenging traditional gender roles.
Another important symbol in the painting is the masculine clothing worn by Kahlo. In the painting, Kahlo is depicted wearing a man’s suit and tie, which is a symbol of her defiance of traditional gender roles and her rejection of societal norms. The masculine clothing is also a symbol of Kahlo’s own identity, which was complex and multifaceted.
The scissors in the painting are also a powerful symbol, representing Kahlo’s agency and control over her own body and identity. By holding the scissors and cutting her own hair, Kahlo is asserting her independence and rejecting the societal expectations that had been placed on her as a woman.
4. Broken Column, 1944
Dimensions: 40 cm x 30 cm
Created: 1944
Subject: Self-portrait of Frida Kahlo with a shattered column in place of her spine
Period: 20th century, Surrealism
Medium: Oil on Masonite
Genres: Self-portrait, Surrealism
“Broken Column” is a 1944 painting by the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. The painting is notable for its striking use of symbolism, which highlights the theme of pain, suffering, and resilience.
One of the most prominent symbols in the painting is the broken column, which is depicted in the center of the canvas. The broken column is a symbol of the physical pain and suffering that Kahlo experienced throughout her life, particularly as a result of the bus accident that left her with lifelong injuries. The column is shattered, with cracks running through it, suggesting a sense of fragility and vulnerability.
Another important symbol in the painting is the nails that are embedded in Kahlo’s body. The nails are a symbol of the physical pain that Kahlo experienced, and also suggest a sense of emotional and psychological pain. The nails are depicted as being both painful and beautiful, suggesting a complex relationship between pain and beauty in Kahlo’s life and art.
The corset that Kahlo is wearing in the painting is also a powerful symbol. The corset is depicted as being open at the front, revealing Kahlo’s broken body and the nails that are embedded in her skin. The corset is a symbol of the societal expectations and pressures that women faced in Kahlo’s time, and also represents the physical constraints and limitations that Kahlo experienced as a result of her injuries.
5. The Wounded Deer, 1946
Dimensions: 42 cm x 34 cm
Created: 1946
Subject: Self-portrait of Frida Kahlo with a wounded deer pierced by arrows
Period: 20th century, Surrealism
Medium: Oil on Masonite
Genres: Self-portrait, Surrealism
“The Wounded Deer” is a 1946 painting by the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. The painting is notable for its striking use of symbolism, which highlights the theme of physical and emotional pain.
One of the most prominent symbols in the painting is the deer itself. The deer is depicted with an arrow piercing its body, which is a symbol of the physical pain and suffering that Kahlo experienced throughout her life. The deer is also a symbol of vulnerability and fragility, and is often used in art to represent innocence and purity.
Another important symbol in the painting is the landscape in which the deer is depicted. The landscape is barren and desolate, with no signs of life or growth. This is a symbol of the emotional pain and isolation that Kahlo experienced, particularly as a result of her turbulent relationship with her husband, Diego Rivera. The landscape can also be interpreted as a reflection of Kahlo’s own emotional state, which was often characterized by feelings of sadness, despair, and loneliness.
The third symbol in the painting is the gold leaf halo around the deer’s head. This halo is a symbol of Kahlo’s own spirituality and belief in the power of art to transcend pain and suffering. The halo also suggests a sense of reverence and respect for the deer, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for Kahlo’s own resilience and strength in the face of adversity.
6. My Grandparents, My Parents, and I, 1936
Dimensions: 93 cm x 74 cm
Created: 1936
Subject: Self-portrait of Frida Kahlo surrounded by her grandparents, parents, and ancestors
Period: 20th century, Surrealism
Medium: Oil on canvas
Genres: Self-portrait, Surrealism
This dream-like family tree was painted on zinc rather than canvas, a choice that further highlights the artist’s fascination with and collection of 18th-century and 19th-century Mexican retablos (devotional folk paintings using iconography derived from traditional Catholic church art). Kahlo completed this work to accentuate both her European Jewish heritage and her Mexican background. Her paternal side, German Jewish, occupies the right side of the composition symbolized by the sea (acknowledging her father’s voyage to get to Mexico), while her maternal side of Mexican descent is represented on the left by a map faintly outlining the topography of Mexico.
One of the most prominent symbols in the painting is the tree trunk that runs through the center of the canvas. The tree trunk is a symbol of Kahlo’s own cultural heritage and ancestry, and is depicted as being deeply rooted in the ground. The roots of the tree are also visible, suggesting a sense of continuity and connection with the past.
Another important symbol in the painting is the images of Kahlo’s family members that are depicted on the leaves of the tree. These images are a symbol of Kahlo’s personal history and family lineage, and suggest a sense of connection and continuity across generations. The images also serve to highlight the complexity of Kahlo’s own identity, which was shaped by her family history and cultural heritage.
7. Self-Portrait on the Borderline Between Mexico and the United States, 1932
Dimensions: 61 cm x 47 cm
Created: 1932
Subject: Self-portrait of Frida Kahlo standing at the border between Mexico and the United States
Period: 20th century, Surrealism
Medium: Oil on metal
Genres: Self-portrait, Surrealism
In 1930, Kahlo followed her husband to San Francisco; they packed their things and moved from Mexico to the United States. In this scene, Frida painted herself in between these two homes; on the right, an exaggerated industrial view of the US, the Ford smokestacks emitting a cloudy American flag and on her left, a pre-columbian view of Mexico, with a temple and native plants.
This dichotomy is also reflected in what she holds in her crossed arms, she has a cigarette in her right hand, and a Mexican flag in her left. Homesick for Mexico, she portrays the U.S. as an unfriendly place full of machinery and smog, and romanticizes her indigenous roots–which are quite literally present under the surface on which she stands.
8. Frieda and Diego Rivera, 1931
Dimensions: 100 cm x 78.5 cm
Created: 1931
Subject: Double portrait of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera
Period: 20th century, Surrealism
Medium: Oil on canvas
Genres: Portrait, Surrealism
“Frieda and Diego Rivera” is a 1931 painting by the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. The painting is notable for its striking use of symbolism, which highlights the complex relationship between Kahlo and her husband, the renowned Mexican artist Diego Rivera.
The painting shows Kahlo standing next to her husband and fellow artist, Rivera. Rivera, portrayed as a painter, holds a palette and four brushes in his right hand while Kahlo tilts her head towards him. Both are looking out toward the viewer, unsmiling. The pigeon in the upper-righthand corner carries a banner that reads: “Here you see us, me Frieda Kahlo, with my dearest husband Diego Rivera. I painted these pictures in the delightful city of San Francisco California for our companion Mr. Albert Bender, and it was in the month of April of the year 1931.”
Hayden Herrera, author of Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo, interprets the work simply as Kahlo depicting herself as the wife of the great artist, Rivera.
9. Without Hope, 1945
Dimensions: 71 cm x 60 cm
Created: 1945
Subject: Self-portrait of Frida Kahlo with a broken column
Period: 20th century, Surrealism
Medium: Oil on canvas
Genres: Self-portrait, Surrealism
In this painting, Frida Kahlo, depicts what she went through with the “forced feeding” diet. The disgusting food with animals and skulls was held by the wooden structure which used to hold her canvases for painting. It seems her arms are pinned underneath and cannot help with the situation. The background is a deserted Mexican landscape showing both the sun and the moon. The situation seems to be Without Hope.
10. Self-Portrait as a Tehuana, 1943
Dimensions: 68 cm x 48.5 cm
Created: 1943
Subject: Self-portrait of Frida Kahlo wearing traditional Tehuana clothing
Period: 20th century, Surrealism
Medium: Oil on Masonite
Genres: Self-portrait, Surrealism
This painting expresses Firda’s desire to possess Diego Rivera, who continues betraying her with his affairs with other women. But she cannot stop thinking about him. She painted a miniature portrait of him on her brow which indicating the obsessive love she has for the famous Mexican artist.
In this self-portrait she is wearing Mexican traditional Tehuana costume that Diego Rivera is obsessed for. On her head she was wearing leaves and the root resembles the pattern of spider’s web. It might be her thoughts that she had Diego trapped in.
