Kahlo Twin Self-Portrait Of Rivera Analysis

This twin self-portrait is one of Kahlo's most acknowledged compositions, and is symbolic of the artist's hurt during her divorce from Rivera and the consequent transitioning of her assembled identity. On the right side of the painting, the artist is shown in modern European dress, wearing the costume she wore before her marriage to Rivera. During the course of their marriage, given Rivera's strong sense of nationalism, Kahlo began to explore traditional Mexican costume, which she wears in the Painting on the left side. It’s the Mexican Kahlo that holds a locket with an image of Rivera. With the looming thundery sky in the background, and the artist's bleeding heart - an essential symbol of Catholicism and also representational of Aztec ritual