The artwork titled “Thinking About Death” was created in 1943 by artist Frida Kahlo. This piece, belonging to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement, is a self-portrait rendered in oil on masonite. The dimensions of this poignant work measure 44.5 by 37 centimeters. Currently housed within the Dolores Olmedo Collection in Mexico City, Mexico, it stands as a testament to Kahlo’s introspective and symbolically rich oeuvre.
The artwork depicts Frida Kahlo’s face set against a lush backdrop of green foliage. Her gaze falls directly upon the viewer, establishing an arresting and intimate connection. The unflinching directness of her eyes combined with her straight, poignant eyebrows, creates a formidable presence. One of the most striking features of the portrait is the image of a small skull and bones depicted on her forehead, a symbol that evokes Kahlo’s contemplation of mortality and the ever-present nature of death. This traditional symbol appears to represent a third eye, symbolizing intuition and spiritual insight.
Kahlo’s unique and complex iconography punctuates her self-portrait with a personal narrative, and the artwork is imbued with her experiences, as well as her physical and emotional pain. Her signature style is evident in the bold colors, meticulous brushwork, and fusion of personal symbolism with cultural motifs. The attire she’s presented in, with its rich colors and intricate patterns, and the natural elements surrounding her, further reflect her Mexican identity and the embrace of her cultural heritage.
The artwork, with its forthright confrontation of mortality and self-awareness, serves not only as a reflection of Kahlo’s inner world but also a broader commentary on the human condition. In framing her visage amid the vitality of nature juxtaposed with the starkness of the death iconography, Kahlo captures the paradoxical relationship between life and death—an enduring theme in her work.
