Notes About The Poem

Composed for Kim Rodrigues Celebration Of Art Contest

Art-Frida Kahlo

On The Suicide Of Dorothy Hale

Known for her self portraits and her politics
Her famous unibrow and her elaborate dress
And for twice marrying Mexico's most renown muralist
Her paintings which bore her pain were well received
And to this day are still growing in success
However my intrigue lies in her greatest fail
Not still life nor self portrait rather
Her commissioned portrait of late actress Dorothy Hale
Asked for by Hale's friend publisher of Vanity Fair
Intended as a gift for the grieving mother
No doubt a caring gesture to ease untold despair
But Frida Kahlo in her visceral style
Produced The Suicide Of Dorothy Hale
A piece which did more to trumpet her own guile
More accurate and macabre a portrayal than anyone would expect
The actress in her leap from her high-rise suite
A ghostly image draped in white falling to her death
And at the bottom her lifeless body replete with bloody mess
Corsage of yellow roses pinned to her favourite black dress
For me this painting speaks more of Frida Kahlo's honesty
Than any self depiction
Her character, personality, and her absolute conviction.

17.05.06

At the bottom of the painting in blood red lettering reads
"In New York City on the 21st of October 1938, at 6:00 in the morning,
Dorothy Hale committed suicide by throwing herself from a very high window
in the Hampshire House. In her memory [...] this retablo was executed
By Frida Kahlo."
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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Rodrigues Avatar
February 24, 2024 at 11:55 AM
Loving this one again as I revisit a fave! Though somewhat macabre it speaks of pain and heartache that many endure! Hugs ~ Kim
Cresswell Avatar
August 29, 2017 at 2:26 PM
Whoa that was some ride. This is some deep emotion. A wonderful write Maureen. What else can I say almost speechless.
Pigeon Tart Avatar
August 29, 2017 at 3:00 PM
You stretch my smile too far to speak myself :) She's the bomb. I just picked up some still burning embers, this practically wrote itself.
Cresswell Avatar
August 29, 2017 at 2:09 PM
BRB going to look up the painting on Google. Just to let you know I was here and do know of Frida.
Krampe Avatar
May 26, 2017 at 4:40 AM
Coming back with congrats.
Pigeon Tart Avatar
May 29, 2017 at 9:24 AM
Thank you Agnes! :)
Barden Avatar
May 25, 2017 at 7:48 PM
Dark and divine, as she was herself, and a very unusual choice, (that I love) ... stated eloquently and in wonderful detail. Congrats, Maureen - unique and superb! A seven for sure!
Pigeon Tart Avatar
May 29, 2017 at 9:21 AM
She WAS fabulously dark, divine, and unusual! Me too I might say, the divine bit as I am also a huge fan of The Divine Miss M, since I was a child, so she has affected my personality greatly no doubt ;) Thank You Greg! xomo
Marcum Wong Avatar
May 25, 2017 at 6:22 PM
I am familiar with this artist's provocative work. Your articulate assessment of the artist and her arrangement in this painting is accurate in my opinion and very well expressed Maureen! The fact that Dorothy's clothing turns from light to dark depicts her depressive state and the plight of her ending it all in suicide. Congratulations on your well deserved first placement! 7 ; )
Pigeon Tart Avatar
May 25, 2017 at 7:21 PM
Interesting take. Glad you enjoyed it and so lovely to meet another Frida lover :) Thank you!
Stebbings Avatar
May 25, 2017 at 1:38 PM
I don't know either this artist or subject so I looked it up. Well described in your poem. Congratulation on your win. // Barry
Pigeon Tart Avatar
May 25, 2017 at 7:22 PM
Thank you Barry! I hope you perused some of her other works ;) xomo!
Sietesantos Avatar
May 25, 2017 at 8:23 AM
Hi Maureen, congratulations on your top of the class win! Well-deserved and a 7! Best regards. Pandita
Pigeon Tart Avatar
May 25, 2017 at 7:23 PM
Thank you Pandita! xomo :)
Rodrigues Avatar
May 25, 2017 at 12:12 AM
So very interesting! I looked up the painting! I loved this intriguing write, Maureen!
Pigeon Tart Avatar
May 25, 2017 at 7:26 PM
Thank you so much Kim! it was a fabulous contest to write for, my passion led me, thank you for the opportunity! Bless :) xomo!
Rodrigues Avatar
May 24, 2017 at 11:53 PM
Congratulations on your win in my contest! Indeed, our PS art gallery is divine! I will return to comment on your individual poem. Blessings...Kim
Krampe Avatar
May 12, 2017 at 7:51 AM
You chose a very interesting painting, and you are right, it says a lot about the artist. Good luck in the contest!
Pigeon Tart Avatar
May 12, 2017 at 12:51 PM
Thank you, yes it is a far more infamous than famous piece of hers. I love all of her work, and have had quite a collection of photographs of her as well. The boyfriend eventually got tired of my "Frida Wall" :)
Puddifoot Avatar
May 12, 2017 at 6:44 AM
a strong entry for the contest, and a very interesting artist to choose - enjoyed it! it's an interesting contest and i'm surprised it's not filling up faster
Pigeon Tart Avatar
May 12, 2017 at 12:53 PM
Indeed, perhaps daunting to paint a picture with words what has already been painted, in less than a thousand words ;)
Smith Avatar
May 9, 2017 at 1:55 PM
No need to post the painting with your poem, I saw each brushstroke in your words. Brilliantly written Maureen, one of your best...
Pigeon Tart Avatar
May 9, 2017 at 5:03 PM
I am humbled Charlie, thank you xomo :)
La France Avatar
May 9, 2017 at 9:42 AM
Maureen, this is wonderful i could see it without seeing it 7+++
Pigeon Tart Avatar
May 9, 2017 at 5:10 PM
Thank you Constance, she is very important to me and your comments on my work are greatly cherished xomo
Hauser  Avatar
May 8, 2017 at 11:36 PM
Wow
Pigeon Tart Avatar
May 9, 2017 at 6:47 AM
;D
Vaso Avatar
May 8, 2017 at 10:53 PM
I love learning new things, what a beautiful poem on the topic, one that I will read up one!!! Great poem!
Pigeon Tart Avatar
May 9, 2017 at 6:46 AM
Thank you Arthur, cheers! :) xomo
Dietrich Avatar
May 8, 2017 at 5:49 PM
Oh, I wish you could show the painting with your poem. I really loved seeing the movie about this woman's life but I do not recall about this particular painting. She was an amazing person all that she went through!! A painful life and yet such brilliance!!
Pigeon Tart Avatar
May 8, 2017 at 6:46 PM
I wish I could too! You can find it on line. She is so very special to me. I too loved the film, already a die hard Frida fan for years. I have some Frida indelibly inked on my own skin and have endured a list of physical injuries eerily similar to her own, save the impalement. Did you know Picasso gave her the hand earring she wore & depicted in self portrait? ;) xomo!
Deo Avatar
May 8, 2017 at 8:53 AM
Glory! I loved Kahlo's work and story - though as a practising Christian, I may not at first appear to. You lovingly show that she stood by Diego despite his horrible failings and cruelty. So many men owe so much to women (including Einstein) they dare NOT begin to admit it (LOL, sadly). Thanks for everything Maureen. shalom
Pigeon Tart Avatar
May 8, 2017 at 2:43 PM
As far as guilty pleasures go, appreciating art is an honourable one. Frida's I adore. I share a favourite quote from Meryn Cadell for you "they say the clothes make the man, but the woman makes the clothes; so what does that make the woman?" Blessings your way Anil xomo
Coreggia Avatar
May 7, 2017 at 8:55 AM
Maureen, I loved the way you made us see Kahlo's uniqueness first, and then followed suit with this remarkable painting, not something Hale's grieving mother wanted to put on her walls I'm sure, but something that speaks to the fierce determination of a brilliant and committed artist, which you so wonderfully showed. A 7 and good luck in the contest my friend:) Amitiés
Pigeon Tart Avatar
May 7, 2017 at 10:50 AM
Thank you Anne-Marie. I do believe it did not make it to her Mother's walls; nor can I imagine she was ever asked again to do a portrait ;) She was a remarkable artist and remains one of my favourites. Thank you again my friend! xomo
White Avatar
May 7, 2017 at 2:10 AM
Oh... mo.... And yes, it did. What a gripping, emotional and immensely wonderful poem you wrote. And how Kahlo did this, what did it take to? Courage, conviction, something else? Good luck in the contest, sweet friend <3
Pigeon Tart Avatar
May 7, 2017 at 8:24 AM
Balls... she defininately had "balls" ;) Which reminds me of her posing for family portraits with cut hair, dressed as a man. I believe she knew she had 'em. Thank you sweet P! Hugs ton mo
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