It was inevitable… The «Queen of Merchandising» had to have a painting sold at Sotheby’s for a record breaking amount and it has happened. This supposed self-portrait (La cama/El sueño) sold for $54,7 million! I cannot imagine who bought it, and Sotheby’s has not identified the buyer.
The «famed» Mexican artist painted it in 1940. This sets a record for a female artist as it surpassed the record held by Georgia O’Keeffe with her painting Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1 which had sold for $44,4 million back in 2014.
Kahlo had a previous record for Latin American art when her painting Diego y yo sold for $34,9 million. The painting showed her and husband Diego Rivera, who actually was a great Mexican artist and muralist. It has been said (I really do not know by whom) that her paintings have fetched even more in private sales.
I will not hide the fact that I do not like the majority of Kahlo’s work. I do not find her art interesting or even good. She lacked technical skill, imagination and a sense of colour. She capitalised upon her pain and suffering and that was her perpetual theme. But if you notice in the paintings where she includes herself, she always paints her face without any emotion whatsoever. Hmm, either she does not know how to paint an emotion upon a face or what…
In any event, here it is for you to talk to me about it. I would really like to know what you think. I will also post the picture of Diego y yo so that we can discuss which one is better, or as I would say, which one is worse.
CHEERS
JaZzArt en València 
Incredible! – I’m not talking about the painting but the fact that somebody thought it was worth that amount of money.
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I know! I could not believe it, but… you know there’s a lot of Mikey Mouse in the art world, especially at that level of money, a lot of money gets laundered that way… Malc, hope you are well and doing good and I have planned a post for you in December, probably the last Wednesday of the month, and I will do as you have suggested but if you have a special post from your page that you would prefer, tell me and I will look that one up and post it. All the best my friend and Happy Friday!
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I never thought of art being sold to launder money, but now you mention it…
I’m doing ok thanks Francesc and I’m pleased to say that my condition hasn’t deteriorated and so I’ve got another 6 months reprieve.
I’m quite happy to let you choose a post but if you’re struggling to find one, I’ll happily do the honours.
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Good to hear you’re doing good Malc, and I’ll choose. And for sure, the art world, at that level of millions, is a way of laundering money internationally, and been like that for a while and also of the sale of forgeries. Take good care of care.
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You too my friend and enjoy your weekend.
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A fascinating and bold reflection! Your take on Frida Kahlo’s work—unfiltered, analytical, and refreshingly honest—adds a compelling dimension to the conversation around these record-breaking sales. Whether one agrees or not, your critique invites deeper thought about what truly defines artistic value: skill, emotion, story, or simply market demand. Thank you for opening such an engaging space for discussion. Cheers!
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You are very welcome. I am not an iconoclast by any means, but I like to form my own criteria. It seems that with some artists, like Frida, the collective mind is already made up, and we are all to bow to it and if we diverge, or dissent, then we are judged as being too stupid to understand. So, I make my judgements upon the knowledge that I have gained at uni and also life. I truly appreciate your words and you reply. I have enjoyed your posts for a long time and I thank you for such interesting posts. All the best to you!
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Thank you for your thoughtful words! I truly appreciate your perspective and the way you form your own judgments—it’s refreshing and insightful. I’m glad we’ve connected over these discussions, and I look forward to sharing more interesting posts with you. All the best!
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As I do Sir. Thanks so much and all the best.
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You are most welcome, Sir.
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It’s kind of mind boggling the prices people will pay for artwork. I think her stuff is interesting, but it’s not the style I prefer.
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It is mi d boggling, but I’m not at all certain they pay this much for the live of art… 😉
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silly money.
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Or laundering money…
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ OK
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This must have really put you in a tailspin. What people are willing to spend money on.
Different strokes, different folks. Nothing that would tempt me.
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It’s amazing what good marketing and merchandising can do… and no, definitely won’t tempt me. All the best Pat!
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Thank you for commenting but I don’t understand. Do you like the painting or the post?
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Me neither, Francisco.
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Cada cuadro es un hecho que surge de una emoción artística, incluso sin emociones visibles contiene un entorno provocador, como los comentarios, los comentarios y conversaciones trasladan las obras y a los artistas a un posicionamiento colectivo donde las identidades se complementan, contradicen, reconstruyen y de toda esa revoltura aparece el mito y ese mito nos lleva como observadores y consumidores que siguen sus corrientes. He ahí la magia que incluso nos coloca en bandos enfrentados porque necesitamos estar con los demás en la esfera artística.
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Gracias.
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Me gusta Frida.
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Thank you Mary.
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