The Art of Art: Frida Kahlo’s The Broken Column Elements of Art Line Shape and Form Space Texture Value and Light Color Time Organizing Principles Repetition Variety Rhythm Balance Compositional Unity Emphasis Proportion Relationship to the Environment

Frida Kahlo’s The Broken Column, 1944 In order to make these art pieces fit into our format, we need to select art from which we can readily draw a theme. In The Broken Column, we might conclude that “For women within patriarchy, life is painful and fraught with vulnerability” is a potential workable theme. Image from: http://www.urtonart.com/history/frida-y-diego.htm

Frida Kahlo’s The Broken Column, 1944 Repetition Lines of straps Several are needed Cultural pressure is constant Cracks within the Ionic Column The more cracks, the more fragile Associated with ancient Greece, an extreme patriarchy: pressure on women to look and act is constant Bare breasts Vulnerability, objectification Highlight femaleness (otherness) Nails Image from: http://www.urtonart.com/history/frida-y-diego.htm

Frida Kahlo’s The Broken Column, 1944 Variety Head Turned to left (feminine side) but ear shows on right (masculine side) Skirt Flows from left to right Background Terrain shapes are different from one side of figure to the other Notice green on left side to suggest fertility much less present on right Nails Each turned in different direction Image from: http://www.urtonart.com/history/frida-y-diego.htm

Frida Kahlo’s The Broken Column, 1944 Rhythm Predictable pattern Corset-like straps Breasts Ionic column details Nails, flow upward from left Balance Distribution of visual weight Largely symmetrical Arms, body, straps Few asymmetrical elements Ear, skirt Image from: http://www.urtonart.com/history/frida-y-diego.htm

Frida Kahlo’s The Broken Column, 1944 Compositional Unity Simple triangle Pulls eyes upward Contains the most dramatic element One eye Two breasts Torso with column and straps No Arms Places the mouth off center toward the left Image from: http://www.urtonart.com/history/frida-y-diego.htm

Frida Kahlo’s The Broken Column, 1944 Emphasis Rectangle within triangle Focal point (dominant contrast) is chest elements Viewer is directed, or constrained, as is the female figure Economy No extraneous details Barren landscape, no jewelry, skirt covering most private parts Image from: http://www.urtonart.com/history/frida-y-diego.htm

Frida Kahlo’s The Broken Column, 1944 Proportion Body seems to be proportioned correctly “Regular” woman Relationship to the Environment How the art is, itself, displayed can add to or detract from the piece’s meaning How does seeing the piece in a PowerPoint presentation with a ‘marble’ background affect your sense of the piece’s theme? Image from: http://www.urtonart.com/history/frida-y-diego.htm