“The Bus” is a notable artwork by Frida Kahlo, completed in 1929 and rendered in oil on canvas. This piece is classified under the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement and can be described as a genre painting. The artwork measures 26 by 55.5 centimeters and is part of the collection at the Dolores Olmedo Museum in Mexico City, Mexico.
The artwork portrays a group of people seated in a row, waiting for a bus. The scene is depicted with a straightforward sense of realism combined with a naive style that is characteristic of primitivism. Each character in the painting represents different segments of society, possibly illustrating the diversity of Mexican social classes. On the left, there is a woman in a white dress adorned with small patterns, holding a basket and a bundle that presumably contains her belongings. Beside her sits a young man in work clothes, his denim overalls suggesting a labor-intensive occupation. Next is a barefoot woman wearing a shawl, her large figure and traditional dress indicating an indigenous background. The artwork continues with other characters: a young boy seen from behind, a man in a suit, and a woman with a pink shawl draped over her arm. The background of the artwork features a cityscape with buildings and industrial chimneys emitting smoke, contrasting with the rural landscape visible in the distance. This juxtaposition of urban and rural elements may reflect the changing cultural and economic landscape of Mexico during that era. Overall, the scene captures a moment of everyday life, yet each figure stands as an archetype within the artist’s broader commentary on society.
