Report: Contrasting Themes in Kahlo's Self-Portrait & Vivaldi's Music

This report provides a comparative analysis of Frida Kahlo's 'Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird' and Antonio Vivaldi's 'La Primavera,' focusing on their thematic expressions. Kahlo's painting, created in 1940, uses surrealism and symbolism to convey themes of pain, sorrow, and suffering, with elements like a thorn necklace, hummingbird, and black cat contributing to the overall message of discomfort and bad luck. In contrast, Vivaldi's 'La Primavera,' composed in 1723, celebrates the joys and happiness associated with the spring season through its musical depiction of babbling brooks, birds, and storms. While Kahlo's work emphasizes personal pain and loss, Vivaldi's piece embodies the beauty and vitality of nature during springtime. Desklib offers solved assignments and study tools for students.

Running head: REPORT 0
HUMANITIES
MARCH 23, 2019
STUDENT DETAILS:

REPORT 1
1. Title: The title of this work is Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird by
Frida Kahlo.
Name of author, composer, or artist-
Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird is the painting. The artist of this
painting is Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. She was well known for the self-portrait.
Evaluation of performance
This work of Frida Kahlo was painting. The painting of Frida Kahlo contained the
message of soreness. The painting of Frida Kahlo, ‘The self-portrait with thorn necklace and
hummingbird’ is the combination of imagery, practicality, and surrealism. The actualities of
her painting make secret message and signs. Frida Kahlo appears to be experiencing lot of
discomfort, sorrow, and suffering.
Edition of work
The Spanish translation of this work has been reading.
Time or date of work
Frida Kahlo was active from year 1925 to year 1954. Frida Kahlo made a painting
‘The self-portrait with thorn necklace and hummingbird’ in year 1940 (Block, 2018).
Cultural location or physical setting of the artifact
The painting’s format is self-portrait; its medium is oil on canvas. The size of painting
is 61.25cm x 47cm and located in a Harry Ransom Centre, University of Austin, Texas.

REPORT 2
Theme of work
The common theme shared by both the work is discomfort and hurting to lose love
(Welz, 2016). In these two works, one can overhear and realise the discomfort and grief, and
the question of ‘would one be capable to come ahead after losing the love?
2. Title: ‘La Primavera by Antonio Vivaldi’
Name of author, composer, or artist-
The music namely La Primavera, is composed by Antonio Vivaldi.
Evaluation of performance-
The musical piece ‘La Primavera’ defines the things generally connected with the
season involving the babbling brook, bird, and storm (Rothenberg, 2017).
Edition of work-
The Italian translation of this work has been reading.
Time or date of work-
La Primavera is the musical piece regarding the spring. This musical piece is
composed in year 1723.
Cultural location or physical setting of the artifact-
The cultural location or physical setting of the artifact is Venice.
Theme of work-
The common theme linked with ‘La Primavera’ is springtime.

REPORT 3
Differences between how the theme is expressed in the two works-
At the time of seeing at portrait, Frida was point of attraction instead of the
background of the painting. Frida Kahlo is having the necklace made up of thorn where are
attempting skin and causing to blood loss. Hummingbirds were attached with the necklace of
Frida Kahlo. Hummingbirds are considered as lovely and colourful animal with fairylike
sound. The hummingbirds were used by Frida Kahlo to state the death. There was black cat
on the right shoulder of Frida Kahlo. The black cat normally was the symbol of bad luck. The
bad luck was experienced by her. In this way, its theme was sorrow or pain. On the other
hand, the theme of work of Antonio Vivaldi was season of spring to accompany the piece.
The springtime states the happiness and joy (Talbot, 2017).

REPORT 4
References
Block, F. L. (2018). The Thorn Necklace: Healing Through Writing and the Creative
Process. California: Seal Press.
Rothenberg, D. J. (2017). Anthology to Accompany Douglass Seaton's Ideas and Styles in the
Western Musical Tradition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Talbot, M. (2017). Vivaldi's music for flute and recorder. New York: Routledge.
Welz, C. (2016). Humanity in god's image: an interdisciplinary exploration. Oxford: Oxford
University Press.