Portrait of Mariana Morillo Safa, 1944 - by Frida Kahlo

Mariana is the daughter of Eduardo Morillo Safa. Eduadro is an agrarian engineer who had been long time patron and friend of Frida Kahlo. Portrait of Mariana Morillo Safa is the one of the six paintings that Eduadro commissioned Frida to paint his family members.

Frida used to take care of Mariana while she was painting her portrait. By using a spectrum of warm colors Frida painted the little girl with tenderness Ancient Mexican believe that leaves worn under the warrior's vests and armor will protect them. The background of dense leaves and the leaf pattern in Mariana's dress serve the same purpose. Eduadro's family remains Frida's close friends until her death in 1954.