Magnolias, 1945 - by Frida Kahlo

This painting was inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe's painting about Magnolias. The difference is in Kahlo's painting the magnolias are only in the bud stage but in Georgia O'Keeffe's version, the flower is in full blossom. In Frida Kahlo's painting, in the center of the bunch of magnolias is a large pear cactus flower. This flower is extremely sensitive and when it bloomed the blossom last only a few hours.

The pear cactus flower is a representation of life and death existing in many of Frida Kahlo's paintings. Also in the right of the flower arrangement, there is an open calla lily which is not very obvious at all. The artist put it there most likely because calla lily is the favorite color of her husband Diego Rivera and it showed up in lots of Diego's paintings.