The Frida Kahlo Retrospective is a current exhibition [unfortunately, there’s no proper link so after December 5, this won’t point to the exhibition directly anymore] in the Bank Austria Kunstforum in Vienna. It gives an overview over Frida Kahlo’s work. Additionally, it shows photos of her and her family.

I have never seen so many people in a museum before.  [I mean, I saw the masses at the Louvre and then didn’t go in and I saw the masses at the Sistine Chapel and then didn’t go in, but I  actually went into the Kunstforum, so I’m only counting this.] You didn’t walk through the exhibition, you were pushed through it and sometimes you had to use your elbows to actually see a painting.

This is not the best museum experience to be had, of course. But Frida Kahlo’s paintings are definitely worth it. What’s not so much worth it are the photos, though. Some are rather interesting – especially the ones by Nickolas Muray – but some are just filler [especially when the plaques were as helpful as “Frida Kahlo with two unknown persons.” And that’s all the information you got]. And if there’s one thing this exhibition doesn’t need, it’s additional content.

But, as I said, Kahlo’s paintings (especially the self-portraits) themselves are wonderful and definitely worth to spend 90 minutes like sardines in a can.

[Self-portrait with thorn necklace and hummingbird]

After the jump, you can find my favorites!

[Self-portrait with velvet dress]

[The Broken Column]

[Henry Ford Hospital]

[Dona Rosita Morillo]

[The Chick]

[Portrait of a Woman in White]

[Photo by Nickolas Muray: Frida Kahlo on a white bench]

There was also a cycle, which I can’t find online unfortunately, of eight drawings (I think), each depicting another emotion, which I liked a lot as well.

I could go on, but I’ll leave it at that. If you’re not afraid of crowds, you should go see the exhibition for yourself!