The artwork titled “Still Life with Parrot” was created by Frida Kahlo in 1951. It is an oil painting on canvas that measures 25.4 x 28.9 cm. This piece is attributed to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement and falls within the still life genre. The painting exemplifies a notable period in Kahlo’s artistic expression.
The artwork presents a vibrant and colorful tableau, where the focal point appears to be a lush selection of fruits arranged along the bottom of the composition. In the company of these fruits rests a parrot with a vivid green plumage, which brings a sense of life and animation to the tableau. It is not just a depiction of inanimate objects; the presence of the parrot imparts a dynamic element that invites viewers to contemplate the relationship between the living creature and the surrounding fruit.
The watermelon slice, with its rich red flesh and black seeds, dominates the composition both in size and color saturation. It is flanked by a bright, cut-open orange, whose citrusy segments add to the tropical ambiance of the scene. Surrounding these central fruits are various other forms and hues, including a deep purple fig, mangoes, and perhaps a sapote or mamey, which all contribute to the rich, warm palette that contrasts against the cool blue background. The textures and forms are rendered in a way that is characteristic of Kahlo’s style, retaining a simplicity that aligns with the Naïve Art movement.
