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The Double Self Portrait By Frida Kahlo

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On first impression, The Two Fridas(1939) by Frida Kahlo, is an image that appears grim and sad, with a gloomy atmosphere, set by the background, and a gruesome imagery seen through the open, bloody hearts. The double self-portrait is an oil and canvas image of a European and Mexican Frida. The European Frida’s dress is covered in blood from a cut heart vein, and both the women’s hearts are exposed, with European Frida’s appearing broken. The two figures are sat in the foreground of the image, with a woven bench beneath them and a stormy, grey sky as the background. The image doesn 't have a very distinct appearance of being three dimensional, through its lack of depth. Though the figures still appear closer to the audience then then other …show more content…

There is a repetition of shape throughout the white lace located on the European Frida’s dress, and more natural flower shaped images repeated along the hem of her dress. The cloud shaped objects in the sky create an atmosphere of stormy times and gloomy days.
There is a strong contrast in colour between the two Frida’s. The one on the right has bright colours blue and yellow, complimentary colours, adorning her traditional clothing, where else the European Frida appears dressed in a more monochromatic outfit with sprinkles of contrasting colour, through the red of her blood and other earth tones of the flowers. Her representation of colours used, have a variety of meanings, ranging from the blue meaning distance from her husband, but a continued tenderness towards him, and the yellow showing signs of her madness sickness and fear. Most of which hold a negative connotation which is emphasised throughout the piece. Though the piece holds a sombre atmosphere to the piece, the artwork does not appear to have a very cold palette. There are a few warm colours that contrast with the icy grey tones of the clouds. But otherwise the piece has a warmer tint, emphasised especially through the warm tone of Kahlo’s skin.
Tone is seen throughout the piece, especially in the face, through the created depth, in darkening several areas for the purpose to make some aspects appear to be closer to the view than other. Like the nose for instance. Due to the shadow added to the right of the

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