Analysis
Frida Kahlo was a Mexican illustrator, active in the 20th century, who is known for her self-portraits (Zelazko, 2024). The painting I have chosen for my contextual analysis is "The Two Fridas" (1939). The key context surrounding this painting was the divorce from her husband, Diego Rivera (www.fridakahlo.org, 2009a). The painting is more than a self-portrait; it is a direct symbol of her fractured identity, using formal illustration elements to make her internal state visible (www.fridakahlo.org, 2009b).
The Two Fridas, 1939 by Frida Kahlo
The composition is of two Fridas wearing contrasting clothes. One wears a European-style dress and the other a traditional Tehuana dress. This contrast is a direct reference to Kahlo's heritage, a blend of German and Mexican cultures (www.fridakahlo.org, 2002). It is also central to the conflict of Kahlo's divorce, as Rivera loved her Mexican side but rejected her European side (Bryson, 2023).
Another key formal element is the symbolism of the exposed hearts. Kahlo expressed that the two figures represent her identity in relation to Rivera. The traditional Mexican attire Frida, whose heart is whole, is the one Rivera loved. Whilst European dress Frida, whose heart is severed, is the one he abandoned (Bryson, 2023b). Kahlo was also known to reference anatomy in her works, which came from an interest in science after she suffered fatal injuries in a bus/ car collision (Art in Context, 2022).
In conclusion, Kahlo's use of formal elements to illustrate her inner turmoil and fractured identity in response to her divorce creates a universally understood artwork. Her heartbreak, heritage, and physical pain resonate with all of us, making her art a powerful expression of human experience.
Reference list
Art in Context (2022). ‘The Two Fridas’ by Frida Kahlo - Studying Frida Kahlo’s Famous Painting. artincontext.org. Available at: https://artincontext.org/the-two-fridas-by-frida-kahlo/ [Accessed 17 Oct. 2025].
Bryson, M. (2023a). The Two Fridas | History, Description, Style, Analysis, & Facts | Britannica. www.britannica.com. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Two-Fridas [Accessed 17 Oct. 2025].
Bryson, M. (2023b). The Two Fridas | History, Description, Style, Analysis, & Facts | Britannica. www.britannica.com. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Two-Fridas [Accessed 17 Oct. 2025].
www.fridakahlo.org (2002). Frida Kahlo Biography. Frida Kahlo. Available at: https://www.fridakahlo.org/frida-kahlo-biography.jsp [Accessed 17 Oct. 2025].
www.fridakahlo.org (2009a). The Two Fridas, 1939 by Frida Kahlo. FridaKahlo.org. Available at: https://www.fridakahlo.org/the-two-fridas.jsp [Accessed 17 Oct. 2025].
www.fridakahlo.org (2009b). The Two Fridas, 1939 by Frida Kahlo. FridaKahlo.org. Available at: https://www.fridakahlo.org/the-two-fridas.jsp [Accessed 17 Oct. 2025].
Zelazko, A. (2024). Frida Kahlo. In: Encyclopædia Britannica. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Frida-Kahlo [Accessed 17 Oct. 2025].