MWW Artwork of the Day (3/9/24) Frida Kahlo (Mexican, 1907-1954) Moses (1945) Oil on Masonite, 94 x 50.8 cm. Private Collection, Houston TX
The inspiration for this painting was provided by Sigmund Freud's book, "Moses and Monotheism". She was fascinated by the book and painted the picture after finishing the book. This painting was done in the style of a miniature mural. The central figure of the abandoned baby Moses closely resembles Diego, and wears, like Diego in other paintings, the third eye of wisdom on his forehead. The birth is beneath a life giving sun flanked by gods, heroes, common humanity, and the all-embracing hands of death. In the foreground a conch spurting fluid into a concave shell is, Frida said, a symbol of love. Fresh, leafy branches sprouting from dead tree trunks refer to the life/death cycle that appears in many of Frida's paintings.
Wow maximalism
No shade to her at ALL (I love her) but the chaotic and crowded nature of these details is kind of reminiscent of those AI generated posters that donāt give you any room to breathe. Maybe itās meant to represent how life doesnāt give one break and youāre almost overwhelmed by the community that surrounds you and watches you so itās meant to be suffering?
Also I love love love symbolism and imagery of pregnancy, birth, and the life cycle so much.
