Vulnerability and Empowerment: Frida Kahlo and the Female Nude

Two Nudes in the Forest (the Earth Itself), 1939, Frida Kahlo, 1939, Privately Owned.

I recently came across what is now one of my favorite depictions of the female nude. It is Two Nudes in the Forest (the Earth Itself), 1939 by the uncompromising, Frida Kahlo. I say uncompromising because if you are familiar with any part of Frida’s story you will know that in every aspect of her life she did things her way. And without apology or thought. That is just the way she led her life. I could write a whole piece about how I want to implement this mentality into my own life but I won’t do that today.

Before the discussion of the artwork, let’s give a little context. The female nude has always intrigued me, enough to write my senior thesis in undergrad about three depictions of the female nude by another unapologetic female artist, Suzanne Valadon. Although this fascination began with a male artist’s depiction of the female nude -- Edouard Manet’s Olympia -- as my study of the subject has grown more complex over the years, I find female artists’ depictions more captivating (and complex). 

This has to do with these depictions stemming from real experience. They are a far cry away from pre-Renaissance male artists hazarding a guess at what the female nude looked like and conveying their bodies from a place of assumption rather than real knowledge (yes, this actually happened in some cases).

Although by no means the first female artist in art history to convey the female nude, when Suzanne Valadon created her portrayals of the subject, it was scandalous. Why may you ask? Because the subject of the female nude was considered too superior of a subject for a female artist to depict. Only well-experienced male artists were thought to be able to give true representation of the subject. Infuriated yet? Yeah, me too. 

But, thankfully when Frida Kahlo created her portrayals of the female nude there was a little less of an uproar only a few decades later, thanks to the scrutiny that Valadon endured. Two Nudes in the Forest (the Earth Itself), 1939 is mesmerizing because of the vulnerability and empowerment that it emits. 

Frida conveys herself in both of the nudes. One is in a tucked position laying on her side with her head in the crook of the other nude Frida’s lap. She is covering herself up while she gazes faintly at the audience. The other nude Frida is sitting upright, with a red garment cascading down from the top of her head. This Frida is gazing lovingly down at the first nude Frida, and playing with her hair. 

It is important to note the difference in the color of the two nude Fridas’ skin. The one that is laying down is more pale; displaying her raw, exposed nature. The upright nude Frida is more vivacious looking due to her tanned-skin. However, both of them are still nude. This exhibits that the laying nude Frida can lie exposed and vulnerable, yet feels safe due to the other nude Frida exposing herself, too. They feel safe in showing their vulnerability to each other.  

This state of affection we find the two nude Fridas in is a commonly known position for women. One of consoling that most of us think of with fondness and warmth. It reminds us of similar moments that we have had in the past with our own mothers, sisters, and female friends. It represents moments of bonding and of safe, accepted vulnerability.

The two nude Fridas lie near what appears to be the only supple jungle in a barren desert. This jungle is an imagined safe space, one in which Frida may only be able to find in her mind. It allows her to show this raw version of herself not only to her audience, but also to herself; without denial. 

The fact that she is the one who consoles her vulnerable Self in her moments of need shows the strength and power that she holds as an independent woman. She is the only one that can truly take care of herself. She doesn’t need anybody else to be there for her. As long as she has herself, at the end of the day, she knows she will be fine. She knows this because she is empowered.

I am so enraptured by this portrayal of the female nude because it exhibits that not only can a woman be vulnerable and empowered at the same time, but a woman has the ability to be empowered because she allows herself to be vulnerable.

During her lifetime, when many times her title seemed to be “the wife of Diego Rivera,” she didn’t allow this to hold her in a box. She would joke with confused interviewers that she was the real artist in the relationship and call Diego a little boy even though he was over twenty years her senior. Like I said, she said and did what she wanted. She didn’t care what others thought of her (except for possibly Diego) because she had herself to fall back on.

Women in the women’s liberation movement in the 1970’s apparently loved her artworks. Most likely because her favorite muse was herself. Something all of us women could use to learn: when in doubt (or truly whenever you want), use yourself as inspiration! 

This is one of the most honest depictions of the female nude that I’ve ever had the opportunity to witness, even just through a computer screen. It makes one feel seen and empowered just by having seen it. I wish I had come across it sooner and I can’t believe that I hadn’t, but everything happens at the time it is supposed to.

Frida Kahlo was revered during her time and today because she didn’t allow herself to be anyone but herself. She didn’t have time for it. She was raw and bold. One aspect about this artwork, which might just be the most important aspect is that it doesn’t make the female viewer want to be like Frida. This integral aspect is the feeling of resonance that it invokes in the female viewer. Frida forces the female viewer to realize that she is both of the female nudes, too. Even if you don’t realize it, this artwork forces you to realize that you had your own back all along. We are already like Frida in this way. We are vulnerable and empowered, because we allow ourselves a safe space to be raw. Although we may have loved ones who we chose to let into our own imagined jungles from time to time, we can do so because we trust in ourselves and have our own backs. 

This is the power of Frida. This is the power of you, and me, and us.