Framing Frida: Musings on the Picture Frames of Frida Kahlo's Paintings in History
Framing Frida: Musings on the Picture Frames of Frida Kahlo's Paintings in History
If you follow along on our social media (Facebook & Instagram; we post frequently!) you may have seen our video titled "Framing an Original Frida." An honor that still is fresh in the minds of the entire team. For good reason too! A) she's a household name, and b) because our framers were very deliberate about the styling of the finished frame. As much as we love to frame things with all the glitz and glamour we can muster this project called for a frame that would complement the nature of Frida's work as well as honor the framing choices she's made in the past.
"Self Portrait with Braid" 1941 - A symbol of the eternal circle of time, femininity, and her relationship with Diego Rivera (1).
Here you can see our framers chose Bella Moulding's "Prophecy black coins" frame and a warm white 8-ply mat. Something that complimented the dusty blacks in the artwork and the cream toned paper. They knew that Frida's work needed a frame that wouldn't compete with the artwork but still added much needed textural interest.
For protection, the piece was hinge mounted on foamcore with no tape--just photo corners. It was also glazed with museum glass to avoid UV damage.
On the back of the frame, they also chose to use a print of the certificate of authentication as the dust cover. Protecting the certificate within the frame (we also think it just looks really cool-- see the video here).
(Btw... we've also framed an original Diego Rivera!)
"Hombre Fumando (Man Smoking)" 1937
Why Frame in the Context of The Past?
You may be wondering, why put such an emphasis on following the aesthetic of an artist's previous frame choices? With artwork with this kind of provenance (notoriety and rarity) it is best not to disregard a) time period in which it was made, b) the artist's tastes, and c) the visual prominence of both frame and work. If you were framing an original movie poster of Austin Powers, wouldn't you want to lean into the 60's stylings by choosing a bright chunky possibly patterned frame? I'm not saying that you can't frame outside of context, but there are instances where it makes the most sense.
A Refresher on All Things Frida
Frida Kahlo's paintings honor her Mexican heritage-- using traditional Mexican folk elements, local flora & fauna, and clothing references. Though highly "surrealist" her work is autobiographical and really spoke to the way she experienced identity politics (being mixed race "mestiza", LGBTQ+, disabled, and a woman), her love lives, and the Mexican Revolution + Industrialization.
Her focus on various indigenous cultures from Mexico and other countries was not so much tied to her own racial identity, but more her alignment with those culture's feminist groups, matriarchal communities, and strong political acts of resistance (See CNN's "How Frida Kahlo's Fashions brought Mexican Politics to the world stage").
ANYWAY, this is why the framing of Frida's works is so important to consider. If we framed Frida's portrait in a glittery pink frame it would completely throw off (even disrespect) the narratives found in her work.
The original picture frames Frida Kahlo chose added more cultural narrative to her works and were a deliberate choice on her (and exhibiting museum's) part. Which is why it is so important to frame her work in that context as well.
Framing for the Times (Not!)
As I understand it, during the period of Modernism in the art world, framing became less of a focus in gallery presentation. Especially after industrialization cut down on hand-carved gilded frames for the ones made from "molds and paste" (2). This led to a wave of artists who were primarily framing in white and/or indulging in 'frameless' hanging techniques (2). Frida, of course, became one of the exceptions of this rule as she didn't want to align herself with the over-intellectualized capitalistic artists of her time.
Examples of Frida's Frames
I'll be categorizing the framed originals I've found into stylistic / cultural-based groupings. What's neat is that there was never one style of frame that Frida (or museums) stuck to. This is not an exhaustive list -- searching "Frida Kahlo Picture Frames" apparently gives you very little to work with -- but I found enough to give you a taste. Plus, these further support our framer's choice of frame for "Self Portrait with Braid."
I. Frames Embellished or Designed by Frida Kahlo
These are the frames Frida had a hand in choosing and/or designing. These are elaborate framing choices that say a lot about Frida and who the pieces were made for.
"Fulang-Chang and I" + Mirror for Mary Schapiro, 1939
This Églomisé frame (meaning a glass frame with painted & gilded elements on the back) is believed to be a Mexican handicraft from Oaxaca, Mexico with the ornamental design being selected by Frida herself (3). What's special about this frame choice is that these frames were typically used in religious devotional pieces, but Frida's was for her close friend Mary Schapiro. Acting more as a devotion to their friendship. The painting was gifted along with the mirror so that Mary could always see herself side-by-side with Frida.
"Still Life" for Manuel Avila Camacho's (President of Mexico) Wife 1942
This hand-carved frame was designed by Frida to be reminiscent of a womb. This frame is of the Mid-century Mexican style which honors natural materials, earthy palettes, and organic shapes. It is generally believed that a local craftsman made this frame for her but no direct records mention who. "Still Life" was a commissioned painting for the wife of President Manuel Avila Camacho, but was ultimately refused because the symbolism was too erotic (yes, those are sperm floating in that papaya).
"Diego and Frida" 1929-44
This portrait was made for Frida & Diego's 15th anniversary. The frame is adorned with nacreous shells with painted embellishments (4). Previously, one of the shells read "Recuerdo de Veracruz" or "Souvenir of Veracruz" which was painted over by Frida -- perhaps hinting that the frame was purchased from a tourist market and then later personalized by the artist (4). This is one of the most personalized frames of Frida's and shows her more playful side.
"The Frame" 1938
This pre-Colombian frame Frida purchased in the village Juquila in Oaxaca, Mexico is most likely the #1 result you would get while trying to search for more information about how her artworks were framed. What's special about this red beauty is not the frame itself, but the painted glass produced by Mexican artisans. The only part Frida had a hand in was the painting on aluminum that was slid behind the glass-- making for a lovely collaboration & nod to Mexican culture (5).
"The Suicide of Dorthy Hale" 1938
The frame is a simple wooden moulding with a rounded stepped face, sensationalized by Frida's painted additions of blood-splatter and billowing clouds. While most of her frames have a stepped profile (as does this one) it is an interesting choice considering Frida wanted to use paint as a way to extend the scene.
A fascinating commission after the death of showgirl Dorthy Hale. This painting was meant to be a remembrance portrait, but Frida chose to depict Dorthy's last moments instead. Frida wrote "I tried my best to do what I felt" to Clare Luce, the women who commissioned the artwork for Dorthy's mother (6). Interesting, as there are debates on whether Dorthy truly committed suicide considering the strong government involvement in the press coverage of her death (7).
“A Few Small Nips” 1935
What's special about this frame (other than the painted blood-splatter) is the element of time. Another artwork that showcases strong sense of justice when it comes to violence against women. Based on a true story in which a man stabbed a woman numerous times, and yet in court called them just "nips." Believed to be the visual manifestation of Frida's rage against Diego and how he had broken her heart numerous, numerous times (8).
Over time, and as Frida's relationship with Diego worsened, Frida would keep adding blood and stabbing the picture frame in response (9). It is obvious then that this framed artwork became a therapeutic release for Frida, and the picture frame became a working tally of Diego's wrongdoings.
In relation to the last piece "The Suicide of Dorthy Hale" it may also be a precursory explanation for her own fantasized suicide, of which Frida contemplated actively (10).
Frida Kahlo, 1948 with "A Few Small Nips." Pictured is the frame's progression from the original-- showcasing both a small knife buried within it and a small bamboo cage to cover the painted dove.
II. Frida & Spanish Colonial Baroque Frames
As I plunged deeper into the rabbit hole that is the why's of framing, I looked further into the non-artist-embellished (unassuming) frames to see if they had any cultural significance as well. Turns out the answer is yes! Thanks to the writings of theframeblog.com I was able to compare the styles to Spanish Baroque-- of which were actually inspired by Mexican carpenters (Entalladors) & other cultures as "Spanish artists were introduced to the arts of Asia by way of Mexico" (11).
"In Mexico, southeastern techniques and patterns mingled with the work of local artists, and also with European fashions, resulting in many colonial masterpieces such as frames and furniture made with Mexican lacquer, or maque, many of which were inlaid with mother-o’-pearl, and which were exported to Spain from around 1670" (11).
This leads to a strong assumption that Frida may have either a) been aware of the cultural significance of this frame style or b) the framers she purchased from just carried a large collection of these styles. Either way, I think it's a cool connection and furthers our discussion on framing-in-context.
"Memory, the Heart” 1937
This fabulous wooden frame is a choice we could see making for a piece off of our mirror door! The swirled ornate design (called scrolling acanthus) directly reflects the movement in the clouds and the color of Frida's jacket. While this piece is stated to be another painting about the pain Frida felt after Diego's affair with her sister, it is also a visual comparison of woman-child, Tehuana-European, and peace-chaos (12). It makes me wonder if the choice of the frame also reflects the divide between indigenous-colonizers through style.
"Diego & I" 1949 and "My Dress Hangs There" 1938
These two picture frames fall into the same category, but with more Italian influence (of which also bled its way into America (12)). They are another example of the scrolling acanthus motif, but on a more subdued background (solid ground).
The first frame for "Deigo & I" is a puzzling choice. It romanticizes the image which is actually full of mental turmoil (13). However, that is not far off from how Frida treated her & Diego's relationship and its struggles. Visually too, while the blue compliments the red in the artwork, and could be symbolic of Frida's sadness, it is not conducive to the other frame choices she has made previously (where the base color of the frame could also be found somewhere within the image). Definitely a food-for-thought piece!
The second frame is fun because it has a more subdued scrolling acanthus-- perhaps furthering the imagery of cultural suppression found in the painting. For context, this was the only painting Frida made during her travels to America with Diego-- a place she deemed "gringolandia" (LOL!) which was about her feelings on American capitalism (14). You will also notice this is one of the few paintings where yes, Frida represents herself, but doesn't actual paint her body in that space!
III. Temple-Esque Frames: Frida and the Aztecs
The next pattern you'll notice in the framing of some of Frida's work is their similarity to Aztec temples (teocalli) with their extreme stepped faces. This directly relates to the Aztec symbolism she uses in her paintings (skeletons, hearts, temples, moon & bleeding suns, wounding thorns, elements of Coatlicue (goddess of life & death), and so on).
Why Aztec symbolism rather than other pre-Spanish native cultures? It "correspond[ed] to her political demand for a unified, nationalistic, and independent Mexico" (15). The Aztecs also had a strong symbolic relationship with life & death-- of which Kahlo struggled with through all her medical misfortunes. Not only that, but it furthered her status as a third world cultural nationalist (a movement that uses local traditions and heritage to resist colonial dominance) rather than just a surrealist or purely biographical painter (15).
Example of an Aztec Pyramid / Temple
"The Wounded Deer" 1946
"Self Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird (1940)
"Self Portrait Along the Border Line Between Mexico and the United States" 1932 (Including an Aztec Pyramid in the painting!).
"During the 1920s and ‘30s, following centuries of colonialization by the Spanish and new pressures from the United States, intellectuals looked to Aztecs as a model of Mexican sovereignty (16).
"Self-Portrait with Monkey" 1938
Temple in Reverse -- More Spanish Baroque Influence
"Self-Portrait with Cropped Hair" 1940
(My all-time favorite Frida Kahlo painting -- See my Frida-Inspired Painting here).
Bonus Round: More Frames to Consider
Below are some more examples outside of what we covered. Do you have any ideas for why these framing choices were made? Put your thoughts in the comments!
“The Tree of Hope, Remain Strong” 1946
"My Nurse and I" 1937
"Moses" 1945
“Portrait of Miguel N. Lira” 1927
“Self Portrait with a Resplandor” 1948
Framing Works with Provenance
I hope after reading through this blog you are equally as motivated as we are to say you'd like to witness the framing process of a Frida original the next time someone asks, "where would you go if you had a time machine?"
Frames are much more than an adornment of an artwork or photograph; and in this instance that is true. Framing can add just as much narrative context when style origin, painted/carved motifs, and shape are taken into account.
Next time you or someone you know purchases an artwork with provenance at an auction bring it here. Our framers design & construct with the utmost respect for all projects-- especially those who have historical significance. If not, then I hope we at least inspired you to think about framing your piece in relation to its history.
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