The artwork “Self Portrait as a Tehuana,” created by artist Frida Kahlo between 1940 and 1943, is a self-portrait oil painting on masonite. This piece, measuring 76 by 61 centimeters, is a part of the Naïve Art movement, specifically Primitivism. The genre of this painting is self-portrait, and it is currently housed in the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection in Mexico City, Mexico.
In the artwork, Frida Kahlo presents herself in an elaborate headdress characteristic of a Tehuana, a woman from the Tehuantepec Isthmus in Mexico. The painting is imbued with significant personal symbolism and rich cultural references. Kahlo’s visage occupies the central portion of the portrait, gazing directly at the viewer with a strong, introspective look. The headdress is adorned with an array of flowers and lace, while Kahlo’s iconic joined eyebrows and bold features are prominently displayed. Behind her head, as part of the headdress, a smaller portrait of a man is visible, which may represent her complex relationships and her emotional state at the time of painting. Complementing the detailed rendering of her face and headpiece are the patterns on her garment which evoke traditional Mexican textiles, adding to the vibrancy and cultural authenticity of the portrait. The artwork exudes a sense of pride in her heritage and individual identity.
