Frida Kahlo's painting sells for $8 million.

 

Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo’s art (painting) sold at the record-breaking $8 million on Thursday. The painting was labeled 'Two Nudes in the Forest (The Earth Itself)'. It was the highest price her paintings were ever sold for as of now. Not only that, it was the highest for any female artist. Now, that is something to be proud of.

The painting depicted two women, naked in the forest. This painting revealed her ambivalent sexuality. Two naked women were sitting in the background of the woods. The light-skinned woman rests her head on another dark-skinned woman's lap. And at the background, this scene is being watched by a monkey, which is a symbol of devil and sin traditionally. 

It is said that the painting is not sexual at all but shows two aspects of Frida's duality instead: the European and the Mexican Indian, the comforter and the one being comforted. This two nude figures depicted in this painting also appeared in Frida's another painting What the Water Gave Me. 

In 1989, Anne Martin, the owner of the New York Art Gallery took home the portrait in an auction by Sotheby. Fun fact, pop singer Madonna tried to buy it, she was outbid by others.

The painting was estimated to range between $8 million to $12 million. Despite being sold at the small range ($8.005 million), it created a benchmark and history for being sold at the highest price for any female artist. 

Christie’s specialist Katharine Arnold also commented on this. She said- "I think it's there's been some interesting trajectories, especially for female artists, I think female artists are still relatively undervalued,"

Hailed as one of the prominent artists of the 20th century, Kahlos’ personality, style and relatively small number of works have made her one of the most sought-after Latin American artists for decades. Some of her other well-known portraits include Roots, Diego y Yo, Self-portrait with thorn necklace and hummingbird, all of which has received wide praise.