The artwork “Self-Portrait in Red and Gold Dress” is a creation of the renowned artist Frida Kahlo, completed in the year 1941. This self-portrait is fashioned using oil on canvas and measures 37.8 by 26.9 centimeters. Kahlo’s piece is indicative of the Naïve Art movement, also known as Primitivism. Currently, it is housed within the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection in Mexico City, Mexico.
The artwork portrays Frida Kahlo in a direct and unflinching front-facing pose. She engages the viewer with a steady gaze, framed by her signature darkly outlined eyebrows and hair arranged in a traditional Mexican style. The visible portion of her attire suggests a garment rich in red and gold tones, although this is subtly implied rather than fully depicted. The background consists of a nondescript, earth-toned palette that shifts focus to the figure herself. Kahlo’s use of intensified colors and a direct, bold representation of herself exemplifies the characteristics of Naïve Art or Primitivism, demonstrating an intuitive and unrefined approach to portraiture that emphasizes a raw and personal emotional experience rather than technical perfection or adherence to classical art norms.
