The artwork “Self-Portrait with the Portrait of Doctor Farill” is an oil on Masonite painting by Frida Kahlo completed in 1951. It is a self-portrait that follows the Naïve Art or Primitivism movement, measuring 41.5 x 50 cm. The painting is currently held in a private collection in Mexico City. This piece is notable for its intimate depiction of the artist and the significant figure of Dr. Farill within her life.
In the artwork, Frida Kahlo is seated in a wheelchair, which alludes to her enduring physical ailments and the surgeries she underwent, portraying a sense of vulnerability and resilience. She wears a traditional Mexican garment and holds a palette and paintbrushes, indicating her identity as an artist. To her right, an easel holds the framed portrait of Dr. Juan Farill, the doctor who performed surgery on Kahlo and to whom she expressed great gratitude. The background is sparse and consists of a wall and floor with subtle shadowing, focusing the viewer’s attention on the central figures. The portrait conveys a profound sense of personal significance and respect, with the juxtaposition of Kahlo’s self-image and her tribute to Dr. Farill providing a narrative of struggle, survival, and acknowledgement.
