The Wounded (or Little) Deer (El venado herico)

Genre: self-portrait
Technique: oil
Material: masonite
Dimensions: 22.4 x 30 cm
Gallery: Collection of Carolyn Farb Houston, Texas, U.S.A.

At the bottom of the painting, Kahlo has written “carma,” meaning ''destiny'' or ''fate''. The painting is representing herself, as a wounded deer, uncapable of changing her own destiny.

During the time that Kahlo was painting this piece World War II had ended recently and in December Mexico was to elect a new president. She had just remarried her husband Diego Rivera despite numerous affairs. In addition, her health was deteriorating quickly, and she underwent many surgeries on her spine and foot (Lucie-Smith). During this time Kahlo must have felt trapped in a loveless marriage and a broken body. This deer with her face seems to represent her longing to run free with no constraints, but the arrows are the burdens of life that are keeping her down. This piece is similar to many of Kahlo’s other works in that it has her distinct, serious face which adorns her self portraits, as well as many of her other pieces.