Las Dos Fridas

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Tags: self-portrait - sitting - dress - heart

Las Dos Fridas

1939

by Frida Kahlo

Original Dimensions: 173 x 173 cm

This painting depicts the traditionally Mexican minded, traditionally Mexican dressed Frida hurt and exposed, sitting next to, and holding the right hand of the strong, independent, cosmopolitan Frida, who is obviously the protector of the weaker, more traditional Frida. The hearts of both Fridas are visible, and the heart of the traditional Frida is cut and torn open. The main artery, which comes from the torn heart down to the right hand of the traditional Frida, is severed. She uses surgical pincers to try to stem the flow of blood, yet it continues to drip down onto her white dress, forming an expanding crimson pool. The heart of the strong Frida, however, is fully intact and is feeding lifeblood through a connecting vein to the weaker, traditional Frida. What is it that has left the traditional Frida in such a wretched state, and more importantly, what is it that has allowed the strong Frida to remain not only unscathed, but in a position to feed and protect the other?

Photo of Las Dos Fridas on Flickr