Frida Kahlo's Self-Portraits and the Symbolism of Her Heavy Necklaces
In a personal essay, Federica Maria Marrella reflects on Frida Kahlo's self-portraits, focusing on the recurring motif of heavy necklaces. Marrella describes how Kahlo's gaze, unibrow, red lipstick, and facial hair convey a determined, frontal pose. She notes that Kahlo's monkeys symbolize art, her cat sensuality, and butterflies rebirth. The necklaces, initially stone and metal, transform into a crown of thorns or a tangled net, symbolizing Kahlo's suffocating love for Diego Rivera. Marrella connects this to Kahlo's identity as a communist revolutionary and tehuana, whose physical and emotional pain is intertwined with her art. The essay was published on Artspecialday on September 22, 2026, and references an exhibition dedicated to Kahlo at Mudec in Milan. Marrella is a writer for MIfacciodicultura and blogs at Pages, Canvas And Soul!.
Key facts
- The article is a personal essay by Federica Maria Marrella published on Artspecialday on September 22, 2026.
- It focuses on Frida Kahlo's self-portraits, particularly the symbolic meaning of her heavy necklaces.
- Kahlo's necklaces are described as transforming into a crown of thorns or a tangled net, representing her complex love for Diego Rivera.
- The essay references an exhibition dedicated to Kahlo at Mudec in Milan.
- Kahlo's self-portraits include symbols: monkeys for art, a cat for sensuality, and butterflies for rebirth.
- Marrella notes Kahlo's signature unibrow, red lipstick, and facial hair as details that captivated Diego Rivera.
- The author is affiliated with MIfacciodicultura and blogs at Pages, Canvas And Soul!.
- The essay explores Kahlo's identity as a communist revolutionary and tehuana, and her physical and emotional suffering.
Entities
Artists
- Frida Kahlo
- Diego Rivera
- Federica Maria Marrella
Institutions
- Mudec
- Artspecialday
- MIfacciodicultura
- Pages, Canvas And Soul!
Locations
- Milan
- Italy