Frida Kahlo

Self-Portrait with Loose Hair

Description: The Facts:

• Lines: Hair, script, vines
• Objects: Script, leaves, face, hair
• Shape: Circles, formless blobs, triangles, squares
• Textures: Leaves, hair, skin
• Values: Warm colors (red and yellow), green, white, brown, black, bronze

Analysis: The Design

• This is a self-portrait. She uses contrast with the bold red and yellow against an abstract black and white background. The contrast in shape is stricking as well. Frida is the focus of this painting.

Interpretation: The Meaning

• She is documenting herself at a happy time in her life. She is 37 years old and in Mexico. She has bright eyes with a silent expression. In her other portraits, her hair is up in a tight bun, and by letting her hair down she must have been feeling relaxed at the time.

Judgement:

• She uses great color in her dress. The red and yellow clothing against the tone of her skin is amazing. She let her hair down which causes the viewer to think she was happy and wanted to record her feelings. I enjoy her description of her portrait at the bottom as it adds a Spanish theme and beauty to the painting.