Original Unknown Work by Frida Kahlo Surfaces
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Original Unknown Work by Frida Kahlo Surfaces
A previously unknown work painted by master Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, the famous surrealist and wife of Diego Rivera who lived from 1907-1954, has been made public by a private collector in Mexico City. The work, called “Alegorical Skulls for Frida and Diego” was painted on the front and back covers of a French gynecology book while Frida was in Paris for the 1939 exhibit “Mexique.”
Phoenix, AZ — Long studied and highly celebrated, some 200 works of Frida Kahlo are known to exist. This piece, from a private collection in Mexico City, has never before been made public.
DESCRIPTION AND PROVENANCE
The title of this work is “Calaveras alegoricas para Frida y Diego” (Allegorical skulls for Frida and Diego) and was done in oil on the front and back covers of a French gynecology book. The dimensions are 24 cm x 16.5 cm x 6 cm. This piece is signed by Frida Kahlo.
Kahlo painted this work while in Paris in 1939 at the time of the exhibit “Mexique” showing at the Pierre Colle Gallery. At the same time, lacking funds for canvas, she also painted on glass the self-portrait “El Marco.” As this is the only work Kahlo painted on the surface of a book, it is truly a unique piece.
When Frida Kahlo returned to Mexico, she paid her carpenter, who was doing work on her Coyoacan house at the time, by giving him this painted book. The book changed hands until it made it to its current owner’s collection (these exchanges are documented). The owner currently resides in Mexico City and is seeking a thoughtful collector to purchase this piece.
AUTHENTICATION
“Calaveras alegoricas para Frida y Diego” has been extensively researched and studied by top Mexican art curators and analysts. Ruth Maria Alvarado Rivera, granddaughter of Diego Rivera and one of the only people in Mexico charged with authenticating works by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, has authenticated this piece. Ms. Alvarado Rivera will be profiling this one-of-a-kind work in a Frida Kahlo retrospective to be released next year in honor of the centenary of the artist’s birth. Master Restorer Manuel Serrano Cabrera of Mexico City has also analyzed this work and has contributed a detailed certificate of authenticity. Both experts are members of of INBA, the government-sponsored National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature in Mexico, and the Institute stands behind the reputations of these curators. In addition, the current owner has had a chemical analysis performed on the piece by a prominent Mexican chemical engineer to date the piece and to provide information as to the chemical make-up of the materials used. All documents have been notarized and have been independently reviewed by attorneys. As many fakes surface from time to time in the art world, the owner has made sure that this work is original and authentic.
The news of this work will have a profound impact on the art world as the appreciation for the work of Frida Kahlo has increased exponentially over the past few years.