If you’re a Diego fan and you’re looking at this painting thinking, “That can’t be Diego, it must be Frida!” you would not be alone in thinking so.

The majority of the elements used in creating this piece are trademark elements found in works by Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera’s former wife. The reference to roots, the use of the female body, the presence of blood, and even the banner across the bottom of the work are all Frida’s trademarks. At the time of painting this work, though, Frida had been dead for a year.

During her life, Frida and Diego were never very good to each other, each one carrying on a string of affairs to get back at the other for their last affair. There was obviously something there, though, because the two were married twice and only divorced once. Even the reference in the banner’s inscription to the way in which doctors cut to renew life might be a nod to Frida’s many surgeries that she endured to try and extend her life. So, she did have a claim to some soft spot deep inside Diego’s heart.

As touchy-feely as all the references to Frida are, Diego didn’t make this painting for fun. Actually, the work was commissioned by Mrs. Dr. Moore who wanted Diego to paint a portrait of her renowned husband, the surgeon Dr. Moore. The composition was most likely inspired by works by Goya, which Rivera studied during his time in Spain.

The finished product wasn’t quite what the Mrs. had in mind when she paid a whopping $650 for it, but nevertheless it stayed in the Moore family until both Mr. and Mrs. Moore had passed away.