Frida Kahlo, an internationally renowned artist, expressed pain, suffering, but most of all, resilience in her artwork in response to her tragic life experiences. As a teenager, Kahlo was involved in a nearly fatal streetcar accident that fractured her pelvis and spine and punctured her abdomen and uterus. However, this accident was not the only reason for pain in Kahlo's short life; she was involved in a toxic relationship with Diego Rivera, a Mexican artist, and womanizer. In Kahlo's own words, "I have suffered two grave accidents in my life, one in which a streetcar knocked me down... The other accident is Diego" (Puchko). This is a theme in her artwork: pain and rebirth.
Kahlo addresses an issue revolving around the way she was perceived. Meaning, she often created self-portraits because in her words, "I paint myself because I am so often alone, because I am the subject I know best" (Puchko). Kahlo empowered herself despite the hardships she suffered in life proving that she would portray herself according to her own terms. She was expressing an early message of today's feminism: Women will be who they want regardless of what their surroundings or men choose to think of them. She embraced her wounds as beauty marks.
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| The Broken Column, Frida Khalo (1944) from fridakahlo.org |
The Broken Column is one of 55 of Kahlo's self-portraits. She illustrated her pain without disguise as her body is covered in nails and where her spine is supposed to be in a cracked column (hence the name). It is important to note, however, the largest nail is on her left breast, the closest region to the heart). This most likely represents the pain she endured from her relationship with Diego. Despite these significant details, her facial expression is of the most important. Her tears represent the freedom that she granted herself. Recalling her quote about feeling alone, it is shown here as the background is deserted, yet she STANDS. Kahlo embodied strength, just as the Feminist movement does today. She is an icon.
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| Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, Frida Kahlo (1940) fridakahlo.org |
Another self-portrait by Kahlo, Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, has been interpreted through her use of symbolism. Compared to the previous portrait, this one was created after her divorce to Diego. The thorn necklace is being tightened by the monkey causing her to bleed which may represent how Diego was a source of pain that choked her. The dark hummingbird also weighs down on the necklace causing further pain. Kahlo experienced incessant suffering, yet she chose to paint her self wearing white, butterflies in her hair, and surrounded by beautiful green plants. Kahlo was resilient and her facial expression is strong, despite the darkness weighing her down.
Works Cited
PUCHKO, KRISTY. “15 Things You Should Know About Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird.” 15 Facts About Frida Kahlo's 'Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird' | Mental Floss, 1 June 2015, mentalfloss.com/article/64204/15-facts-about-frida-kahlos-self-portrait-thorn-necklace-and-hummingbird.
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