Frida & Diego, a Return Visit

Yesterday I went back to the Heard Museum and re-visited the Frida and Diego Exhibit.  I'm so glad I did.  It was a lot less busy than when I first visited and I could leisurely read all the information and take my time enjoying the paintings.  I also learned some new things.  This painting by Rivera is of Natasha Gelman and was commissioned by her husband Jacques.  The painting depicts her reclining on a sofa in an elegant white dress with the slit in the front that seems to mimic the lilies that are behind her.

Frieda's portrait of the same woman was much more sedate with a more stern look that doesn't give off the alluring feeling that Diego's portrait does.

Also in the exhibit was this portrait of Jacques Gelman by Angel Zarraga.  Gelman was a wealthy film maker in Mexico who was born in Russia.  He and his wife were among a small group of collectors who supported modern Mexican artists by commissioning works and purchasing other works directly from the artist's studios.  When they passed away (Jacques in 1986 and Natasha in 1998) they left behind what is considered to be one of the finest collections of Mexican art.