When I first saw Frida Kahlo’s My Family Tree, I made an immediate comparison to Salvador Dali. Although upon close examination, the two paintings are as different as apples and landmines, at first glance, It seemed abstract and whimsical in a not-immediately understandable sort of way.

The MOMA blurb says that this painting was painted in response to the passing of the Nuremburg laws, which forbade interracial marriage. The experts say that this painting highlights her German-Jewish father and Mexican mother, and that the background land-meeting-sea symbolizes the mixing of races and cultures. What I at first imagined as being Dali-esque, I quickly noticed was the classic framing of heritage on a generic family tree. But with a deeper look, there are definitely more abstract details, like the sperm meeting the egg, and the Frida Kahlo baby towering over her suspected childhood house living room bisection. Theres nothing particularly impressive about the skill level present in the painting, but from afar – across the room – the painting manages spectacularly to catch the eye and every last bit of attention in the room. The bland, flat colors, and the lack of superfine details do nothing to diminish the inherent quality of the actual subject matter in the painting. To me, this painting requires the recognition of the artist in order to be defined as a serious work of art. But then again, I am not a connoisseur on the subject. I do very much appreciate the MOMA and many other museums, and had an amazing time going. The project/trip definitely makes me want to go back.