Humanities Art Interpretive Evaluation Essay

Instructions:

For this Art Interpretive Evaluation Essay, you will view, interpret, and evaluate the work of visual art presented in Chapter 5.
The painting is the “Self-Portrait on the Border Between Mexico and the
United States” by Frida Kahlo. She composed this painting during a
prolonged stay in the United States while her husband Diego Rivera was
working there on another art project.

I have attached a copy of this artwork for you to see!

Essay Instructions:

Now that you’ve carefully examined the work of visual art and completed your research, compose an essay of

at least

400 words (total) where you compose an essay of FIVE fully developed
paragraphs (one paragraph for each of the following questions):

• Paragraph1:
  
  Describe the painting
  
  : What is your
  general impression of the painting? What parts of the painting represent
  Mexico? What parts of the painting represent the United States? How do
  these two depictions differ?
• Paragraph 2:
  
  Interpret the painting
  
  : Kahlo once said, “I paint myself because I am so often alone and because I am the subject I know best.”
  
  What
  parts of herself does Kahlo seem to be exploring in this self-portrait?
  What might she be saying about herself in relation to the two countries
  in the painting? Cite examples to support your interpretation.
  
• Paragraph 3
  
  : Identify the artistic characteristics and styles in the painting:
  
  What
  elements of surrealism do you see in the painting? What elements of
  indigenous art do you see? How do the two work together? Cite specific
  examples.
• Paragraph 4:
  
  Interpret the artist’s motivation
  
  : This is the most speculative. Frida Kahlo was first exhibited as Mrs. Diego Rivera.
  
  How
  do you think being married to a famous man affected Kahlo’s life and
  her work? Is there anything in the painting that has relevance to her
  position as a famous artist’s wife?
  
  
• Paragraph 5: This painting is considered a “valuable and important” piece of art.
  
  Do you agree? If so, explain which features of the painting makes you
  agree. If not, explain why you disagree by citing relevant features of
  the painting.