Still Life with Watermelon and Pomegranates — (After Frida Kahlo) ca. 1950
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Oil painting on canvas created around 1950 depicting a still life composition centered on a sliced watermelon accompanied by pomegranates and other fruits arranged on a neutral surface. The scene stands out for its vivid chromatic contrast: the vibrant red of the watermelon’s flesh against the deep green of its rind, complemented by the warm, organic tones of the surrounding fruits, creating a rich and balanced visual composition.
The work evokes the symbolic and emotional language associated with Frida Kahlo, particularly her way of depicting fruit as metaphors for life, fertility, and a deep connection to the Mexican land. Within the Mexican pictorial tradition of the twentieth century, fruits such as watermelon and pomegranate often carry a strong symbolic presence, becoming more than simple objects and instead reflecting cultural identity and expressive depth.
The painterly treatment reveals a warm palette and a soft atmospheric background that enhances the sculptural presence of the fruits. The composition recalls the sensitivity and visual language characteristic of mid-century Mexican still life...
Category
Vintage 1950s Mexican Folk Art Paintings