When you see a favorite work of art on display in a traveling exhibition, do you ever wonder about its journey to that point? Under ideal conditions, it is a lengthy process involving museum staff and vendors from around the world. However, during a global pandemic, the role of a well-seasoned registrar proves to be more critical than ever when it comes to putting one of Frida Kahlo’s most iconic paintings on view.
In this Q & A, Harry Ransom Center Registrar Ester Harrison gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her integral role in the care and stewardship of Kahlo’s 1940 Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird.