Accession Number
1985/1.106

Title
A Woman

Artist(s)
Diego Rivera

Artist Nationality
Mexican

Object Creation Date
1955

Medium & Support
graphite on paper, laid on linen

Dimensions
8 7/16 x 6 1/4 in. (21.4 x 15.8 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Gilbert M. Frimet

Subject matter
This drawing was completed only a couple years before Rivera's death. There is a strong resemblance between Emma Hurtado, the artist's fourth wife, and the woman depicted in the drawing. Originally his art dealer, they were married a year after Frida Kahlo's death. The union was extremely short lived (3 days) but this image is clearly affectionate. Rivera has written in the name of colors in various sections of the hat. This indicates that this was likely a study for a painting that was never completed. 

The extreme focus on the woman's face removes any contextual information and compels the viewer to examine an anonymous face in terms of her visual qualities rather than her external significance. The slight abstraction of the face further essentializes the character of the woman.

EC 2017
 

Physical Description
A portrait of a woman. Only her head and the upper part of her body is visible. She is wearing a hat, a dress and some earrings. 

EC 2017

Primary Object Classification
Drawing

Collection Area
Modern and Contemporary

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form. Keywords
Figures
drawing (image-making)
face
modern and contemporary art
portrait heads
studies (visual works)
woman
women (female humans)