Resumen

MUJICA J, Arturo S. In front of the mirror: An approximation to the paintings “Autorretrato” (1926), “Las dos Fridas” (1939) and “La Venadita” (1946) of Frida Kahlo. Revista de Investigación [online]. 2010, vol.34, n.69, pp.55-75. ISSN 1010-2914.

The purpose of this research is to present a general vision of the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo’s art work, from the paintings “Autorretrato” (1926), “Las Dos Fridas” (1939) and “La Venadita” (1946). The methodology consisted in a documental and iconographic study of the most relevant Frida Kahlo’s paintings, to determine them as the most representatives. Once selected, a hermeneutical approach (Gadamer, 1998) of the paintings’ main characteristics was made from the analysis of the biographical data and the symbolic aspects present in them. This inquiry emphasizes the presence of Latin-American women within the creative scope. The study also allows the recognisance of iconographic realistic elements, strongly related with the artist’s life, re-dimensioned from the mature aesthetic expression developed by her.

Palabras clave : Frida Kahlo; painting; self-portrait; hermeneutical symbolic analysis.