Right: Frida Kahlo, The Broken Column, 1944
Oil on Canvas, 15-11/16” ✕12-1/16”
Left: Implied and actual lines
Balanced and almost symmetrical
Repetition of fissure-like cracks in the artist’s chest and in the earth behind create a sense of
unity of message. The artist is not shying away from pain and her pain is mirrored by the
surrounding landscape. She stares directly at the viewer forcing us to face her agony and
showing courage in the face of debilitating injury. The visual of nails embedded in her skin
almost transfers the pain to the viewer.
Line: Vertical imposed over Horizontal, The subject and artist are vertical suggesting
Alertness. And the Horizon line implies stability but both are intersected with jagged fissure
lines which undermine the perceived structural integrity of the broken column.
Shape: organic shape wrapped around and bound by inorganic
Color: warm colors of the figure and ground contrast with cool colors of the sky and
Brace and sheet.
