journal (15) Frida Kahlo (1907-1954)

Here we observe a drawing executed in colored pencil on what appears to be paper with a slightly textured surface. The composition is dominated by a central figure enveloped within a dense, almost suffocating mass of green and blue foliage. This vegetation obscures much of the body, suggesting entrapment or concealment.
The figure itself possesses distinctly human features, though rendered with an expressive, somewhat stylized quality. A pale face framed by vibrant purple hair draws immediate attention. The eyes are large and appear to convey a sense of melancholy or resignation. Small, wing-like appendages protrude from the shoulders, hinting at a potential for flight that is seemingly thwarted by the surrounding foliage.
The artist has employed a vigorous application of color and line, creating a palpable sense of texture and movement within the vegetation. The use of red accents – a small splash above the text and streaks throughout the foliage – introduces an element of urgency or perhaps pain. These marks disrupt the otherwise predominantly cool palette.
Above the figure, handwritten in capital letters, is the phrase Te vas? No. (Are you leaving? No.). Below, the words “Alas Rotas” (“Broken Wings”) are inscribed. The text functions as a direct address and a poignant commentary on the depicted scene. It suggests an attempt at retention, a desperate plea against departure or loss.
The subtexts within this drawing revolve around themes of confinement, thwarted aspiration, and emotional entanglement. The figure’s obscured form implies a struggle for self-expression or liberation from external constraints. The broken wings symbolize lost potential or the inability to escape a difficult situation. The insistent refusal – No – speaks to an unwillingness to let go, perhaps indicative of dependency or fear of abandonment. Overall, the work conveys a sense of emotional turmoil and a poignant exploration of human connection and its limitations.