Frida Kahlo

Identification of the Portrait of Frida Kahlo

This artwork is a portrait of Frida Kahlo created by the artist Julien Levy. The work is a black and white photograph that dates to 1938. It is categorized within the Surrealism movement. The image captures the subject in a moment of playfulness, as she holds a mirror in front of her face while posing for the camera.

The photograph is a vintage piece, likely from the 1930s, characterized by its monochrome tones and specific photographic style. The subject is depicted with long hair and a necklace, wearing a dress that contributes to the overall composition of the frame. The facial expression of the subject suggests a sense of humor or a playful gesture directed toward the lens.

Julien Levy, an American art dealer, produced this work during a period when he was organizing exhibitions for various avant-garde artists. This specific portrait of Frida Kahlo is part of a larger body of photographic work documenting the artist during the late 1930s.

Visual Composition and Subject Matter

This black and white photograph presents a portrait of Frida Kahlo. The subject is positioned in a way that she holds a mirror directly in front of her face. Her long hair is visible, and she wears a necklace around her neck. The clothing appears to be a dress. The composition focuses on the interaction between the subject and the mirror, capturing a specific moment of movement or pose.

The woman's facial expression is not static; she appears to be making a funny or playful face toward the camera. This expression contrasts with the formal nature of traditional portraiture. The lighting and the vintage quality of the film create a range of grey tones across the subject's features and the textures of her hair and clothing. The mirror obscures part of her face, creating a layered visual effect within the frame.

Current Location and Collection History

This photograph is held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia. It is part of a series of images captured by Julien Levy during a period when the artist was gaining visibility in the United States. The work remains a documented part of the museum's permanent holdings.

The history of this piece is linked to the 1938 exhibition organized by Julien Levy. This was the first solo exhibition for the artist in the United States. The event took place at the Julien Levy Gallery located in New York. The exhibition received support from André Breton.

The collection includes other photographic works from this period, such as:

• Frida Kahlo (Strip of Two Contact Prints), 1938
• Frida Kahlo (Strip of Two Negatives), about 1938