The artwork “Portrait of Doña Rosita Morillo” is a creation by Frida Kahlo, executed in 1944, utilizing the medium of oil on masonite. It is a piece that exists within the artistic realms of Naïve Art, also known as Primitivism, with dimensions measuring 75.5 by 59.5 cm. This portrait genre piece is currently housed within the Dolores Olmedo Collection in Mexico City, Mexico.
As for the artwork itself, it portrays Doña Rosita Morillo in a frontal, seated pose against a richly detailed backdrop. She is depicted with a solemn expression, her silver hair contrasting against her dark clothing. Her attire is traditional and modest, consisting of a simple black garment with buttons that can be seen running down the front. This attire conveys a sense of dignity and sobriety.
In her hands, Doña Rosita is engaged in the act of knitting, with a focus on crafting a vibrant red garment. The knitting needles and the wool suggest a theme of domesticity and traditional female roles. Her gaze does not meet the viewer directly, which may evoke a sense of introspection or distance.
The background is lush and filled with flora including various cactus plants and their blossoming flowers, indicative of an environment reflective of Frida Kahlo’s cultural heritage. The use of bright reds and greens not only imbues the artwork with a sense of life and vibrancy but also may symbolize deeper emotional or cultural undertones. The integration of the subject with such a background suggests an intimate connection between the individual’s identity and her surroundings, a hallmark in many of Kahlo’s works.
