One of the most well-known pieces by self-taught artist Frida Kahlo is her Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, created in 1940. This painting is one of 55 self-portraits that Kahlo painted throughout her career. The artwork depicts Kahlo wearing a thorn necklace, which is interpreted as a symbol of the pain and suffering she endured throughout her life due to illness and personal struggles.
The hummingbird in the painting has symbolic connotations, representing luck in love. Kahlo experimented with mixed media in its creation, using oil on canvas alongside other materials such as copper leaf, tin sheeting, and coral beads to create texture and depth. This technique was representative of her Mexican heritage.
Kahlo’s interest in realism is evident in her earlier works such as Self-Portrait Wearing a Velvet Dress. In contrast, Self-Portrait with Cropped Hair portrays a symbolic representation of independence following her divorce from Diego Rivera. The portrait depicts an androgynous figure wearing men’s clothing while holding a pair of scissors.
Kahló’s paintings continue to be celebrated for their feminist themes and Mexican symbolism. Today she remains an influential figure both for women artists around the world who are inspired by her unapologetic self-portrayal as well as all those who seek inspiration through adversity.
