Fanny Eaton (1861) Fine Art Print by Joanna Boyce Wells
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Frida Kahlo, a name synonymous with passion, resilience, and unconventional beauty, stands as one of the most influential and enigmatic artists of the 20th century.
Born in 1907 in Mexico City, Frida’s life was a merging of pain and creativity, with her deeply emotive self-portraits reflecting her struggles, experiences, and unwavering spirit.
From her tumultuous relationship with famed muralist Diego Rivera, to her relentless battle against physical and emotional pain, Frida bravely shared her vulnerabilities through her art.
Join us as we take a tour through her experiences and impact, and gain a relatable and inspiring insight into one of the most iconic figures in art.
Frida Kahlo, 1931 · Photograph (Silver Gelatin Estate Print) · 33 x 25.4 (cm) · Photography by Imogen Cunningham · © Imogen Cunningham Trust
Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderón, better known as Frida Kahlo, was born on July 6, 1907, in the bustling neighbourhood of Coyoacán, Mexico City. The third daughter of Guillermo Kahlo, a German immigrant, and Matilde Calderón, a Mexican-born mother of Spanish and indigenous descent, Frida’s mixed heritage would play a significant role in shaping her identity and artistic vision.
From a young age, Frida faced adversity. At the age of six, she contracted polio, which left her with a weakened right leg and a limp. This early experience of physical pain and vulnerability would later be a recurring theme in her art. Despite her disability, Frida’s fierce determination and strong willpower pushed her to excel academically and athletically, defying the expectations society had set for a young girl with such a disability.
In 1922, Frida enrolled in the prestigious National Preparatory School in Mexico City, where she first encountered Diego Rivera, who was working on a mural at the school. Frida’s artistic talent was evident even in her school years, and she was one of only 35 girls among the 2,000-strong student population. It was here that her passion for art, politics, and Mexican culture began to flourish.
In 1925, when Frida was just 18 years old, her life took a tragic turn. She was involved in a catastrophic bus accident that left her with severe injuries, including a broken spine, a shattered pelvis, and multiple fractures in her right leg and foot. This event would become a defining moment in her life, leading her down a path of immense physical pain and artistic discovery.
Confined to her bed for months, Frida began to paint, using a specially designed easel and a mirror to create self-portraits that reflected her emotional state and the constant pain she endured. This period marked the beginning of Frida’s intense focus on self-portraiture, which would become the cornerstone of her artistic oeuvre.
Artworks as they Appear - See Footer for Full Credits · The Wounded Deer, 1946 · Self-Portrait wearing a Velvet Dress, 1926 · My Grandparents, My Parents and Me, 1936 · Self Portrait with Monkeys, 1943 · Self Portrait along the borderline between Mexico and the United States, 1932 · What the Water Gave Me, 1938 · Without Hope, 1945
In 1928, Frida reconnected with Diego Rivera, who was by then an established artist and muralist. Despite their 21-year age difference, they formed a powerful bond, and in 1929, the couple married. Their relationship was tumultuous, marked by Rivera’s infidelity and Kahlo’s emotional turmoil, but it was also a source of mutual artistic inspiration and growth.
Throughout their marriage, Frida continued to paint, developing a unique artistic style that combined elements of Mexican folk art, surrealism, and symbolism. Her work often featured vivid colours, intricate patterns, and poignant self-portraits that conveyed her physical pain, emotional turmoil, and strong connection to her Mexican heritage.
Frida and Diego’s personal and creative partnership took them across the globe, including a three-year stay in the United States between 1930 and 1933. During this time, Frida’s work began to gain recognition, and she had her first solo exhibition at the Julien Levy Gallery in New York in 1938. This marked the beginning of her growing international reputation as a unique and groundbreaking artist.
Following their return to Mexico, Frida and Diego’s marriage continued to be fraught with difficulties, eventually leading to their brief divorce in 1939. However, their love and admiration for each other persisted, and they remarried in 1940. Despite the challenges they faced, both personally and professionally, Frida and Diego remained deeply intertwined throughout their lives.
Over time, Frida Kahlo’s work has captured the hearts and imaginations of art lovers and critics in the UK and across Europe. Her surrealist approach to the raw exploration of pain, love, and identity has resonated with audiences, inspiring countless exhibitions, retrospectives, and tributes. Frida’s influence can be seen in the works of British and European artists who have drawn inspiration from her unique visual language and unwavering spirit.
In 1982, the Whitechapel Gallery in London held a groundbreaking exhibition of Frida’s work, which was the first time her art had been shown outside of Mexico. This event marked the beginning of a love affair between Frida’s art and the British public, paving the way for future exhibitions and collaborations.
Frida’s impact on the UK and European art scenes extends beyond her paintings. Her resilience in the face of adversity and her commitment to her art has inspired countless individuals, particularly women, to pursue their own creative paths. Frida’s life and work have become a symbol of female empowerment and the power of self-expression.
The Love Embrace of the Universe, the Earth (Mexico), Myself, Diego, and Señor Xolotl, 1949 · Oil on Masonite · 70 x 60.5 (cm) · Mexico City, Mexico · © 2023 Banco de México Diego Rivera Frida Kahlo Museums Trust, Mexico, D.F.
Whitechapel Gallery Exhibition Flyer, 1982 · © Whitechapel Gallery Archives
Through her art, Frida transformed her pain and struggles into a distinct and memorable visual language.
As we reflect on Frida’s life and work, we are reminded of the uplifting and therapeutic power of art.
Through her vibrant self-portraits, Frida Kahlo invites us to confront our own vulnerabilities and embrace the complexities of the human experience. In doing so, she has created a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire and captivate.
Marxism Will Give Health to The Sick, 1954 · Oil on Masonite · 76 x 61 (cm) · Frida Kahlo Museum, Mexico City, Mexico · © 2023 Banco de México Diego Rivera Frida Kahlo Museums Trust, Mexico
