Loving hug of the universe, Earth (Mexico), Diego, me and seigneur Xolotl

The composition of the picture contains many layers of interlocking hugs. The dual face of the Universe, also expressed by a light and dark background of planets and ether fog, holds in its hands a darker Earth (Mexico), the chest of which gives off milk. Land (Mexico), abundantly covered with diverse vegetation, in turn holds Frida Calo. And already Frida herself holds in her arms a naked Diego Rivera , who has a third eye on his forehead. This work is rich in symbolism, with several semantic layers. However, her symbolism does not differ from many other works of Kahlo. According to a number of art critics in the film “The Embrace of the Universe in Love ...” a number of phenomena related to the life difficulties of Frida herself, including femininity, motherhood and Diego Rivera, found expression.

Femininity

The art critic Chelsea Miller, discussing the details in the picture, concluded that Frida “felt a deep connection with the Earth and its female energies” ^[1] . The vegetation that covers the whole Earth (Mexico) resembles the 1943 work of Frida Kahlo's “Roots,” where she depicted herself with vegetation intertwining throughout her body and even through it. In a number of her other works, Kahlo also used this allegory, representing the female body to depict the earth and the source of life.

Maternity

The myth of the infertility of Kahlo ^[2] was refuted by Ankari’s critical biography, which made extensive use of primary sources when writing it ^[3] . It was found that Frida repeatedly had abortions. There were many reasons for them, including concern about the transmission of her father's epilepsy, her own poor health, and especially because of her husband who did not want children, as evidenced by his separation from several women who had children from him. When communicating with two mothers of children, Diego Calo came to the conclusion with them that Rivera himself looked like a child, which was reflected in the “Love Embrace” ^[4] . But the absence of children did not prevent Frida from developing in her work the role of a woman as a mother and teacher, who is expressed through allegory in this picture.

Diego Rivera

In Love Embrace, Diego Rivera is presented as a child in Frida’s arms and with a third eye on his forehead. This is similar to the image of Diego in Frida's self-portrait “Diego and Me”, also written in 1949. The third eye on man is a reference to the deity, who is the embodiment of wisdom and intelligence. Kahlo, who perceived Rivera as one of the most talented people in the world ^[5] , often referring to him as a "master", worshiping his art and way of thinking ^[6] .

• Ankari, Gannit. Frida Kahlo . London, Reaktion Books, 2013.
• Herrera, Hayden. Frida Kahlo: The Paintings . New York, Harper Collins, 1991.
• Miller, Chelsey. Frida Kahlo: An Exploration of Art Themes and Symbolism. , 2012.
• Morrison, John. Frida Kahlo . Pennsylvania, Chelsea House Publications, 2003.
• Stechler, Amy. The Life and Times of Frida Kahlo . Rhode Island, Daylight Films, 2005.