Who is depicted in the painting?

This illustrated family tree testifies to how much Frida cherished her family. On the top are her two sets of grandparents, and in the center, her mother and father. In the bottom, Frida stands at the center, with two of her sisters, Matilde and Adriana and on her left is her younger sister Cristina. It remains a mystery who the three unfinished figures are, however, the fetus near her, a motif that is common in many of her artworks, may symbolize the children she lost due to miscarriage. This painting does not only contain her family roots, but the emotional ones as well.

Frida’s bus accident

In this photo, you see Frida working on this very painting from her bed in 1950. Frida suffered a horrific bus accident in 1925 when she was 19 years old leaving her with much pain, numerous surgeries, isolated,  and bedridden, for long stretches of time.

Frida’s Family and Art Helped her Recover

Frida’s family helped her through this difficult time. She channeled her days of recovery into creativity after her photographer father persuaded her to paint lending her his box of oil paints and some brushes. And her mother ordered a specially-made lap easel that allowed her to paint from bed. Already deeply introspective, Frida became her first artistic subject, using an overhead mirror in her bed’s canopy to begin painting the first in a long series of self-portraits. Kahlo once said, “I paint myself because I am so often alone and because I am the subject I know best.” 

Reflection

I wrote this during Covid when we found ourselves together alone and quarantine presented us with the opportunity to dig deep and get to know and reveal ourselves in new ways. We also had to rely on the strength of others, particularly our families, to get through or resolve some “unfinished” business with our loved ones so that we may be stonger together for the future.

I am in the midst of viewing the BBC documentary, Becoming Frida. In it, a historian remarks, “since the bus accident, being creative is her (Frida’s) way of winning of not letting herself be beaten.” I can’t help but see that same defiant stare that we have grown to love and respect in Frida. She was bed-ridden, broken, but she was still herself! As I re-read this today and present it to you, I am going through a difficult time with my son who is on the autism spectrum. It can be a lonely walk, and I have been broken by the challenges that face me. It is my faith, husband and my church family that is keeping me afloat. It is writing this post, creating, sharing… which is giving me hope, makes me feel less alone, makes me feel ME… allows me to win!

How will you win today?