$6,200
Description:
“Self-Portrait with Monkey” (1940) is one of Frida Kahlo’s most recognized and symbolic artworks. In this painting, Frida depicts herself with a calm, almost stoic expression, surrounded by lush foliage and a black monkey gently resting on her shoulder. The monkey, a recurring motif in her work, is often interpreted as a symbol of both playfulness and protection, though in Mexican mythology, it can also represent lust or mischievousness.
Unlike her more painful or intense self-portraits, this piece portrays a sense of quiet intimacy and connection with nature. Kahlo’s attention to detail, vibrant use of color, and the fusion of herself with the natural world reflect her deep sense of identity rooted in indigenous Mexican culture and her introspective artistic style. The painting is a striking example of how she used animals and nature as extensions of her emotional and spiritual self.
Artist:
Frida Kahlo (1907–1954) was a Mexican painter known for her deeply personal, symbolic, and emotionally powerful artworks, particularly her self-portraits. Her life was marked by physical suffering due to a bus accident at the age of 18, which heavily influenced her art. Kahlo’s paintings explore themes of identity, pain, feminism, and Mexican culture, often incorporating vivid colors and traditional folk art elements.
