Frida Kahlo Self-Portrait Sells for $54.7M, Breaks Female Artist Record

A remarkable self-portrait by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo has shattered records, selling for $54.7 million at an auction. The painting, titled “El sueño (La cama)” or “The Dream (The Bed),” achieved this milestone at Sotheby’s in New York, surpassing the previous record held by American artist Georgia O’Keeffe.

Historic Auction: Kahlo’s Record-Breaking Sale

Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1” previously held the female artist auction record at $44.4 million, set in 2014. Kahlo’s latest sale marks a significant moment in art history, establishing her as the most valuable female artist to date.

A Notable Background

• “El sueño (La cama)” was valued between $40 million and $60 million before the auction.
• Kahlo’s other notable piece, “Diego y yo” (Diego and I), sold in 2021 and was previously the second most expensive artwork by a female artist.
• The latest auction places Kahlo’s piece first, while “Diego y yo” now ranks second among female artists, and third overall among artworks by women.

Before being auctioned, “El sueño (La cama)” had not been displayed publicly for nearly 30 years. It toured cities including London, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Paris, and New York, drawing significant attention during its exhibits.

Artistic Features and Personal Significance

The painting depicts Kahlo lying on a floating bed against a pale blue sky. Green vines encircle her figure, while a skeleton rests above, creating a surreal and vivid image. The bed motif is prevalent in Kahlo’s work, reflecting her prolonged battles with chronic pain after a severe bus accident.

In 1940, the year Kahlo painted this self-portrait, she experienced a tumultuous period, including remarrying fellow artist Diego Rivera after their divorce and witnessing the assassination of her former lover, Leon Trotsky.

Artistic Legacy and Auction Insights

Anna Di Stasi, Sotheby’s head of Latin American art, noted the significance of the auction, stating that the piece is “one of very few works of this calibre still in private hands.” She highlighted Kahlo’s unique place in art history and the intense emotional connection her work fosters with viewers.

The painting was part of the “Exquisite Corpus” auction featuring over 80 surrealist works, including those by prominent artists like René Magritte and Salvador Dali, further emphasizing the value and importance of Kahlo’s contribution to the art world.