Lot #2721: FRIDA KAHLO - Bandera y fruta - Pencil on paper

Artist: Frida Kahlo (Mexican, 1907-1954).
Title: "Bandera y fruta".
Medium: Pencil on paper.
Date: Composed 1952.
Dimensions: Overall size: 10 1/8 x 7 7/8 in. (257 x 200 mm).
Lot Note(s): Signed and dated in pencil, lower right. Medium weight wove paper, cream on the recto, orange on the verso. Overall good condition; scattered foxing outside of the image; edge toning; slight bend with no broken fibers, upper left corner; left margin unevenly trimmed. Provenance: The work comes from the collection of Urbano Quinto. It was acquired by Quinto’s wife from Pablo Picasso who had acquired it directly from Frida Kahlo. A noted Italian art historian, art dealer, and art collector, Urbano Quinto acquired works from classical artists of the 20th Century as well as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, and other Pop and Graffiti artists, often directly from the artists themselves during the 1950’s through the 1980’s. A Letter of Authenticity by Urbano Quinto pertaining to this work and detailing its provenance accompanies the lot. Comment(s): In the last years of her life Kahlo created a series of still life paintings which she considered emblematic of Mexico, foremost of which were her works relating to the Mexican flag, fruits (watermelons, citrus, coconuts, etc.) and the occasional bird or dog. Please see the attached image for a prominent example of these works. Pencil drawings by Kahlo are rare. We were only able to locate nine at auction in the past 25 years. Auction records of Kahlo works similar to our example in size, medium, etc. include a sale at $48,000 of “Surrealist Drawing, Diego,” pencil on paper, unsigned and undated, 8.88" x 6.50" in., lot #133, on 05/30/2007 at Sotheby’s, New York City. Another work similar to the foregoing, “Surrealist Drawing, Frida,” pencil on paper, unsigned and undated, 8.88” x 6.50”, lot #134, sold for $48,000 on 05/30/2007 at Sotheby’s, New York City. Of general interest also please see the attached image of Urbano Quinto with Halston, Andy Warhol, and Bianca Jagger at Studio 54, New York City, c1977 (courtesy of and copyright © by Hasse Persson). Frida Kahlo image copyright © Frida Kahlo Corporation (FKC), Panama. [30592-2-24000]