Source: WTL research files.
Painting: "El abrazo de amor del Universo, la tierra, yo, Diego y el señor Xólotl" (The Love of the Universe, the Earth, I, Diego, and the Guardian of Death Embrace), 1949.
Comments: This painting is a precursor of various post-modern Mexican and Latin American artists in its trompe-l'oeil elements along with hyper-realism and Surrealism. After their remarriage Frida behaved rather maternally vis-à-vis her husband. In fact, she said that she would like to hug him like a baby (Quisiera siempre tenerlo en brazos como a su niño recién nacido). Beyond, Frida's own psychology, this canvas contains a variety of Mexican images: day, night, the sun, the moon, the Earth goddess Cihuacóatl, the Itzcuintli dog, which represents the guardian of the land of the dead, Xólotl.
Humanities Question: In what ways is this painting a summation of all the preceding images and information you have concerning Frida Kahlo as she arises from and belongs to Mexican culture?