The Meaning Behind Frida Kahlo’s Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird painting

Frida Kahlo’s “Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird” is not merely a painting, it is a window into the soul of one of the most iconic and enigmatic artists of the 20th century. Painted in 1940, this work encapsulates the emotional complexity, physical suffering, and vibrant symbolism that define Kahlo’s art. Through an intricate blend of personal narrative, Mexican folklore, surrealistic motifs, and spiritual symbolism, this self-portrait delivers a powerful statement on pain, identity, and resilience.

In this comprehensive exploration, we will examine what the painting is all about, delve into the context of its creation, unravel its rich symbolism, and interpret the underlying messages. We will also look at the artistic style, technique, and where the painting resides today.

What is “Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird” All About?

At its core, “Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird” is a meditation on suffering and survival, painted during a period of intense emotional turmoil in Frida Kahlo’s life. The artwork captures her image against a lush, jungle-like background, with a thorn necklace digging into her neck, drawing blood. A black monkey tugs at the thorn chain, while a black cat crouches behind her left shoulder. Hanging from the necklace is a lifeless hummingbird. All of these elements, seemingly strange or surreal, are steeped in symbolic meaning that together create a poignant statement on Kahlo’s emotional state, her cultural heritage, and her defiant sense of self.

This painting was created shortly after Frida’s divorce from Diego Rivera, her on-again, off-again husband and artistic peer. Their relationship was intense and fraught with betrayal. Rivera’s infidelity, along with Frida’s lifelong health problems, including a horrific bus accident in her youth that left her with chronic pain and multiple surgeries, fed into her artistic expression. This painting is thus a mirror of both her inner pain and outer resilience.

Who Painted It and How Was It Painted?

Frida Kahlo (1907–1954) was a Mexican painter known for her self-portraits, rich with symbolism and emotion. Though often associated with Surrealism, Kahlo rejected that label, insisting that she painted her reality, not dreams. Her work was deeply personal and often autobiographical, portraying physical pain and emotional distress with unflinching honesty.

“Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird” was painted in 1940 using oil on canvas, with dimensions measuring 24.4 x 19 inches (62.25 x 48.3 cm). Kahlo often worked with small canvases, partly due to her limited mobility from illness and injury. Her painting technique combined precise brushwork with an eye for detail, texture, and vibrant color.

Kahlo painted herself numerous times, more than 50 self-portraits exist, because, as she once said, “I paint myself because I am so often alone and because I am the subject I know best.” This particular portrait was likely completed while she was staying in Mexico City, recuperating from both her divorce and her failing health.

Symbolism and Interpretation of “Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird”

This painting is a treasure trove of symbolic presentation, each element carefully chosen to contribute to a narrative about pain, endurance, identity, and transformation.

1. Thorn Necklace

The thorn necklace wrapped around Frida’s neck is perhaps the most immediate and visceral symbol. It draws blood, echoing the Crown of Thorns worn by Christ, aligning Kahlo with religious martyrdom and suffering. This martyr-like imagery suggests that she is enduring pain that is both physical and spiritual. It may also represent the pain caused by her failed relationship with Diego Rivera, the “thorns” of love and betrayal.

2. Hummingbird

The lifeless hummingbird hanging from the thorn necklace is a crucial symbol. In Mexican folklore, the hummingbird is often associated with good luck, love, and vigor. However, in Kahlo’s painting, the bird is dead, perhaps signifying the death of her romantic hope or vitality. Alternatively, the hummingbird can also be linked to Huitzilopochtli, the Aztec god of war, who was symbolized by the bird. In this sense, the hummingbird might signify inner strength, resilience, and warrior spirit, even in the face of suffering.

3. Monkey

The black monkey pulling on the thorn necklace is a complex symbol. Monkeys in Kahlo’s works often represent Diego Rivera, who gave her a pet monkey named Fulang-Chang. In earlier paintings, monkeys are affectionate companions, but in this one, the monkey is inflicting pain, a clear shift in symbolism that might reflect Rivera’s betrayal and the way he contributed to her emotional agony.

4. Black Cat

The black cat behind her left shoulder is traditionally associated with bad luck, misfortune, and death. Its presence looming ominously may represent Kahlo’s awareness of her own mortality and the constant presence of danger or ill fate in her life.

5. Background Flora and Fauna

The lush jungle backdrop is dense with vegetation, butterflies, and dragonflies. These natural elements contrast with the pain of the foreground, suggesting a cycle of life and death. Butterflies and dragonflies are often seen as symbols of transformation and rebirth, hinting that Kahlo may be embracing change despite her suffering.

6. Her Expression

Kahlo’s facial expression is serene, stoic, and unwavering. She gazes directly at the viewer, confronting the viewer with her pain but not asking for pity. Her unflinching gaze is emblematic of her fortitude, making the viewer complicit in witnessing her suffering while also acknowledging her unyielding strength.

What Is Happening in the Painting?

Visually, the painting presents a portrait of stillness amidst a backdrop of dynamic symbolism. Kahlo stands at the center, surrounded by elements that tell her story. The monkey tugs at her thorn necklace, worsening her wounds. The black cat seems ready to pounce. The hummingbird dangles lifelessly, suspended by the necklace that pierces her skin. Despite all this, Kahlo stands motionless, her face devoid of visible emotion, her eyes staring directly out of the canvas.

What is “happening” in the painting is not an action in the conventional sense, but rather a symbolic narrative of emotional and physical suffering, betrayal, and resilience. The painting captures a psychological moment, a still-life of pain, and invites the viewer to unpack its layers.

What Type of Art Is “Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird”?

Kahlo’s painting defies easy categorization but is most often associated with:

• Surrealism – While Kahlo rejected the term, her works often include surrealist elements: dream-like scenarios, unexpected juxtapositions, and symbolic visuals.

• Magic Realism – A more fitting label, this genre incorporates realistic elements with fantastical overtones, grounded in everyday life but imbued with symbolism and myth.

• Symbolism – Every aspect of the painting serves a symbolic function, turning her personal pain into a universal message.

• Mexican Folk Art Influence – Kahlo drew heavily from indigenous Mexican traditions, Catholic iconography, and Aztec mythology, all of which influence the form and content of the painting.

The painting’s style is characterized by flat planes of color, meticulous detail, and stark realism, allowing the symbolic elements to resonate all the more powerfully.

Where Is the Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace Painting Located Today?

“Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird” is part of the Harry Ransom Center collection at the University of Texas at Austin. It is a treasured piece within the Center’s archives, frequently exhibited and widely studied. The Harry Ransom Center houses a vast collection of literary and artistic materials, and this painting is among its most famous possessions.

The Lasting Legacy of “Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird”

Frida Kahlo’s “Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird” is much more than a striking image, it is a psychological landscape rendered with the emotional intensity and symbolic density that only Kahlo could achieve. Through this work, she invites us into her world of suffering, loss, identity, and strength. She wears her pain not as a burden but as a badge of survival, transforming the canvas into a mirror of her internal battle.

The painting remains one of the most powerful examples of autobiographical art in history, continuing to resonate with viewers for its raw honesty, symbolic richness, and visual impact. It is not merely about what Frida Kahlo experienced, it’s about how she transcended it. The painting offers a timeless exploration of what it means to suffer, to endure, and to emerge, if not unscathed, then at least unbowed.

In the thorn necklace, we see the weight of heartbreak. In the hummingbird, a sliver of lost hope. In her gaze, defiance and dignity. And in the painting as a whole, the immortal voice of Frida Kahlo, a voice that continues to speak to the world from within a jungle of pain, survival, and fierce selfhood.