Sunday, June 14, 2015

"The Two Fridas" by Frida Kahlo

In my Art History Class we just finished watching the movie "Frida" by director Julie Taymor, so I thought it was a good time to talk about the artist Frida Kahlo. Frida Kahlo is a prominant surrealist painter from Mexico. She is one of the most famous painters from Mexico, and she married another very famous artist from Mexico, Diego Rivera. They had a rocky relationship because Rivera was very promiscuous. Kahlo painted "The Two Fridas" soon after divorcing Rivera. It is considered to be a representation of the pain she felt for losing her husband. The Frida on the left depicts the Frida rejected by her husband. Her chest is ripped open, the inner workings of her heart exposed. This Frida also represents Frida's European heritage (her father was a German Jew). Before her marriage to Rivera she would wear the same fashions as the Europeans at the time. Rivera encouraged her to wear more traditional Mexican clothing. Kahlo chose to dress the Frida who was rejected by Rivera with clothing that Rivera encouraged her to change.The Frida on the right displays the Mexican heritage of Frida (her mother was Mexican) as well as the side of Frida that Rivera still loves. This Frida still has an exposed heart, but the inner workings of the heart are not displayed, showing that her heart is not broken. This Frida wears traditional Mexican clothing, like the clothing Rivera encouraged her to wear. She holds a portrait of Rivera. The vein that wraps around both of the Fridas begins with the portrait, so Rivera is the source of blood that runs through her heart, meaning that Rivera gives her life. The right Frida still loves Rivera, and wishes for him to come back to her. The Frida on the left cuts off the blood supply, breaking the bond with Rivera. The Fridas clasp hands and have one vein moving through both of their hearts increasing the connection between them. Kahlo clearly felt split about her separation with Rivera because while she still loved him, he was unfaithful. There are many ways to interpret this painting, and I think multiple interpretations is one of the marks of a great piece of artwork. Kahlo had a very painful life and she was able to express all the pain she felt through painting. It was her coping mechanism. This movie truly opened my eyes to the work of Frida Kahlo and I look forward to learning more about her in the future.
P.S. Rivera and Kahlo did get remarried and remained married until Kahlo's death.

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