A self-portrait by the iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, titled Diego y yo (Diego and I), sold for $34.9 million in November 2021, marking a significant milestone in the art world. This amount is very close to $35 million.
The Record-Breaking Sale
The painting, a poignant and deeply personal self-portrait, was auctioned at Sotheby's in New York, setting an all-time high for a piece of artwork created by a Latin American artist. The sale underscored the enduring global appeal and market strength of Kahlo's work.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Artist | Frida Kahlo |
| Artwork Title | Diego y yo (Diego and I) |
| Sale Price | $34.9 million |
| Auction House | Sotheby's, New York |
| Date of Sale | November 2021 |
| Significance | Set a new record for artwork by a Latin American artist and for Frida Kahlo's work at auction. |
About the Artwork: Diego y yo
Diego y yo is one of Frida Kahlo's last self-portraits, painted in 1949, five years before her death. It is renowned for its raw emotional intensity and surrealist elements. In this masterpiece, Kahlo depicts herself with the bust of her husband, Diego Rivera, superimposed on her forehead like a third eye, symbolizing her obsessive thoughts about him. Rivera, in turn, has an eye on his forehead, creating a complex interplay of gazes.
Frida Kahlo, celebrated for her oil paintings that drew profound inspiration from indigenous Mexican culture, often explored themes of identity, pain, and the human condition. Her distinctive style, characterized by vivid colors and symbolic imagery, continues to resonate deeply with audiences worldwide. The painting's sale not only highlighted its artistic merit but also reaffirmed Kahlo's status as a towering figure in 20th-century art.
