Frida Kahlo’s 1940 self-portrait breaks records with $54.7 million auction sale, top-selling work by a female artist at auction

Mexican artist Frida Kahlo’s haunting self-portrait titled ‘El sueño’ (La cama) or ‘The Dream’ (The Bed), painted in 1940, sold for a staggering $54.7 million at Sotheby’s in New York, setting a new auction record as the most expensive work ever sold by a female artist. The identity of the buyer is not disclosed.

The sale, which took place on November 20, 2025, included Georgia O’Keeffe’s ‘Jimson Weed/White Flower No.’, which was sold for 44.4 million dollars in 2014. It surpassed its previous record titled ‘1’.

The painting shows Kahlo sleeping in her own bed with a skeleton made of papier-mâché; The statue of Judas (a skeletal-like figure historically associated with gunpowder/dynamite in folk rituals), adorned with dynamite and flowers flying above him, is a symbolic reflection of mortality and his lifelong struggle with chronic pain and emotional turmoil.
Created during a tumultuous period shortly after Kahlo’s remarriage to Diego Rivera, the work is widely acclaimed for its deeply personal and surreal qualities.

This portrait also broke the record for the highest price achieved for Latin American art and is one of the rare pieces to remain in private hands outside of Mexico, where Kahlo’s works are considered a national art treasure.

Mexican law prohibits the domestic export or destruction of Kahlo’s public and private collectibles, highlighting the painting’s exceptional legal eligibility for international sale. Following its sale, the painting was requested for several exhibitions from 2026 to 2028 in major cultural centers including New York, London and Brussels, ensuring continued public access to this iconic work. Frida Kahlo was a famous artist born in Coyoacán, Mexico, in 1907, famous for her vibrant paintings. and uncompromising self-portraits that explore themes of identity, pain, and mortality. His artistic journey began after a serious bus accident in 1925, which deeply affected his work.

Kahlo married famous muralist Diego Rivera in 1929; this relationship was full of passion and turmoil and received early recognition through exhibitions in Mexico, Paris and New York.

Known for integrating Mexican folk art, surrealism, and symbolism, Kahlo’s work blended personal narrative with cultural identity, becoming a feminist icon in later years.

Despite health problems, including amputations and numerous surgeries, he remained creatively active until his death in 1954.

FAQ

Question: What is depicted in the picture?
A skeleton holding dynamite depicts Kahlo sleeping in bed, symbolizing her confrontation with mortality and chronic pain.

Question: Who bought the painting?
Following a highly competitive auction, the identity of the buyer was not disclosed by Sotheby’s.

Question: Will the painting be exhibited publicly?
The painting is requested to be exhibited in New York, London, Brussels and other cities between 2026-2028.