“Frieda and Diego Rivera” is an artwork completed in 1931 by artist Frida Kahlo. It is an oil painting on canvas measuring 100 x 79 cm and falls under the art movement known as Naïve Art (Primitivism). Executed as a portrait, the artwork currently resides in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) located in San Francisco, California, United States.
The artwork depicts two figures, presumably a representation of Frida Kahlo herself and her husband, Diego Rivera. They are standing close to one another and appear to be holding hands, symbolizing their partnership or marriage. Rivera is painted at a larger scale, wearing a suit with a blue shirt and looking directly ahead, while holding what looks to be a palette and brushes, signifying his profession as an artist. Kahlo, on the other hand, is dressed in a vibrant red shawl and a green skirt, traditional Mexican attire, which reflects her cultural identity and personal style. She looks straight at the viewer with a determined expression. Above the couple, a dove carries a banner which includes the title of the work and the year, adding a sense of peace and unity to the composition. The simplicity of the background and the directness of the figures’ gaze convey a strong sense of presence and character, both hallmarks of Kahlo’s intimate portrait style.
