The artwork titled “Self Portrait” is a creation by the renowned artist Frida Kahlo, completed in the year 1948. Executed with oil on Masonite, this piece is an embodiment of the Naïve Art movement, specifically Primitivism, and is part of the genre of self-portraits. The artwork’s dimensions are 50 by 39.5 centimeters, and it currently resides within the Samuel Fastlicht Collection in Mexico City, Mexico.
The artwork features the distinctive and compelling visage of Kahlo, confronting the viewer with an intensely direct gaze. Her expression is serious and introspective, a hallmark of her self-portraits that often reflect deep emotion and psychological insight. The backdrop and garment are richly adorned with a complex, lace-like pattern of flowers, which could symbolize fertility, femininity, or the interweaving of life’s complexities. She wears a traditional shawl, adding cultural context and personal identity to the self-representation. The intricate design in the background envelops her figure, creating a sense of depth and texture, while the central position of the face anchors the composition. Notable also is the artist’s iconic unibrow and forthright depiction characterized by a lack of embellishment or idealization, pieces of a visual language through which Kahlo frequently explored her identity and experiences.
