Portrait of Alicia Galant

1927

When Frida first began painting, she painted portraits, mostly of close friends and members of her immediate family. This highly stylized portrait of her friend Alicia Galant is painted in the style of a 16th century Italian Renaissance portrait, similar to the style use by the Bronzino and Botticelli, two artists that Frida greatly admired. The aristocratic poise seen in this portrait, and others of the time, was probably inspired by Bronzino's painting "Eleonora di Toledo". The dark gloomy background in this painting shows signs of the Art Nouveau style that was popular at the time.

Oil on canvas
óleo sobre lienzo

97 x 84 cm.
38" x 38¼"

Dolores Olmedo Patiño
Museum
Mexico City, Mexico

Museo Dolores Olmedo Patiño
Ciudad de México, México

Cuando Frida empezó a pintar, pintó retratos, especialmente de sus amigos y miembros de su familia. Este retrato, altamente estilizado de su amiga Alicia Galant, está pintado en el estilo de un retrato renacentista del siglo XVI, similar al estilo usado por Bronzino y Boticelli, dos artistas que Frida admiraba grandemente. La pose aristocrática en este retrato y otros del mismo período fueron posiblemente inspirados por el cuadro de Bronzino "Eleonora di Toledo". El fondo oscuro en este retrato muestra signos del estilo Art Nouveau que era popular cuando Frida pintó el cuadro.