The painting "The Dream (the bed)" by Frida Kahlo, which depicts the artist sleeping in a canopy bed under a skeleton tied to dynamite, was sold at Sotheby's for 55 million dollars, setting a new record for a work of art by a woman. This work, considered one of Kahlo's most "psychologically charged" self-portraits, was created during a tumultuous period in her life, marked by the assassination of her former lover and her divorce. Kahlo, who passed away in 1954, is recognized as one of the greatest painters of the last century, and her works often reflect her painful relationship with her own body, affected by polio and serious accidents.
The sale of "The Dream (the bed)" was a surprise, given that the work was initially purchased in 1980 for just 51,000 dollars. This achievement underscores the growing appreciation of Kahlo's genius and the recognition of female artists in the art market. The work is one of the few paintings by Kahlo available on the public market, after Mexican authorities declared her works artistic monuments in the '80s. Additionally, Kahlo's story was adapted into a biographical film with Salma Hayek in 2002, highlighting her tumultuous relationship with the artist Diego Rivera. The previous record for a work of art by a woman was 44 million dollars, achieved by Georgia O'Keeffe for "Jimson Weed / White Flower No.1" in 2014.
The sale of "The Dream (the bed)" was a surprise, given that the work was initially purchased in 1980 for just 51,000 dollars. This achievement underscores the growing appreciation of Kahlo's genius and the recognition of female artists in the art market. The work is one of the few paintings by Kahlo available on the public market, after Mexican authorities declared her works artistic monuments in the '80s. Additionally, Kahlo's story was adapted into a biographical film with Salma Hayek in 2002, highlighting her tumultuous relationship with the artist Diego Rivera. The previous record for a work of art by a woman was 44 million dollars, achieved by Georgia O'Keeffe for "Jimson Weed / White Flower No.1" in 2014.
Sources
Frida Kahlo self-portrait sells for $55m, sets auction record for a female artist
Frida Kahlo painting sells for $54.7m, breaking record for female artists
Frida Kahlo makes history as self-portrait sets record for sale price for female artist
Frida Kahlo self-portrait sells for nearly $55 million, shattering record for female artists
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