Arguably one of her most evocative works, the painting depicts a gravely injured woman lying on blood stained sheets, overlooked by a looming male figure.
Two birds, one white and one black hold a banner above, in which the painting's title is displayed in Spanish, Kahlo's native tongue.
Born in 1907 on the outskirts of Mexico City, Kahlo had a strained relationship with her mother during childhood. While just 6 years old, she contracted polio which caused her to develop a life-long disability. To make matters worse, during her teenage years Kahlo was seriously injured in a bus accident, leaving her bedridden for a matter of months.
It is during this time that Kahlo started to paint. At age 21, she was introduced to Diego Rivera, one of the most famous Mexican artists of the era, with whom she would begin a turbulent relationship. The pair were married in 1929, and soon embarked upon various trips to North America, however it wasn't until after they returned to Mexico that Kahlo became aware of Rivera's infidelity.
Blaming her for their failed trip, Rivera began an affair with Kahlo's younger sister which left his wife emotionally devastated. That same year, she would only produce 2 paintings, one of which being 'A Few Small Nips' - the image of her heartbreak laid bare across the canvas.
This work is typical of Kahlo's style with its bold colours and vivid emotional axis.
Famed for her autobiographical approach, Kahlo took influence from simplistic Mexican folk art and added a surrealist slant to create a truly unique style which she used to document her life. With her exceptional ability to channel suffering into such powerful art, it is no mystery why Kahlo is one of the most respected artists of her generation.
