Authentic Frida?

Frida Kahlo could be a scandalous woman during her life, and it seems that now, even decades after her death, a new scandal swirls around a collection of objects that may have been hers. The objects are interesting–or innocuous–enough: sketches, private letters, and clothing, but the question is whether this collection of over 1200 objects, purchased several years ago by art dealer Carlos Noyola, were actually Kahlo’s or whether they are fakes.

The New York Times reports that the publication of Finding Frida Kahlo, a new book on the collection published by Princeton Architectural Press,  is the immediate cause of the controversy, as the Mexican government trust that runs Kahlo’s estate moves to attempt to block the sale of the book, claiming it is presenting these objects as something they are not. Handwriting experts, art historians, and others disagree on whether or not the collection is authentic.

Anyone who has been to Mexico (or to any Mexican-inspired “kitschy” shop anywhere else), knows that the image of Frida Kahlo is used to sell anything from shopping bags, to compacts, to ashtrays, to aprons, the emotional force of her self-portraits reduced to a souvenir. With that in mind, I appreciate the effort to maintain some sort of authenticity about her body of work and the objects she used in her own life.

Apparently the collection was authenticated by Rivera’s granddaughter several years ago, but there are many inconsistencies among the objects that don’t seem to add up. Based on the information in the Times’ report, I’m inclined to believe they are fakes, but what do you think?

Is this a real Frida Kahlo sketch?