LIFE OF FRIDA KAHLO

Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo Calderón (July 6, 1907 - July 13, 1954) was a Mexican painter. She was also the wife of the painter Diego Rivera. Frida Kahlo became an iconic figure in 20th-century popular culture, known for her paintings as well as her personal life and political views.

Frida Kahlo and pain

She was born in Coyoacán, a southern neighborhood of Mexico City, in 1907. Although her actual birthdate was July 6, 1907, she claimed July 7, 1910, the day the Mexican Revolution began, as her birthdate.

At the age of six, she contracted polio, which left her with a disabled leg. Due to this condition, she was often called "La Frida" (The Wooden Frida). Frida received education at the best schools, such as the National Preparatory School, which introduced her to art, literature, philosophy, and broadened her perspective. She formed friendships with notable individuals like Alejandro Gomez Arias, Jose Gomez Robleda, and Alfonso Villa, who would become prominent figures in Mexico's intellectual circles. She also joined an anarchist literary group, shaping her strong personality. However, her life took a dramatic turn when she was involved in a traffic accident at the age of 18.

BUS ACCIDENT

On September 17, 1925, while returning home from school, the bus Frida was on collided with a tram. In this tragic accident, where many lost their lives, an iron rod from the tram pierced Frida's left hip and exited through her pelvic bone. Following the accident, her life was marked by corsets, hospitals, and doctors. She endured constant pain in her spine and right leg, underwent 32 surgeries, and eventually had her right leg amputated in 1954 due to gangrene resulting from childhood polio.

About a month after the accident, Frida left the hospital and turned to painting as a way to escape her pain and suffering. She started creating self-portraits by looking into a mirror on her bed's ceiling. Her first self-portrait during this period is "Self-Portrait in a Velvet Dress."

In 1927, after regaining the ability to walk, Frida began to engage with artistic and political circles. In 1929, she joined the Mexican Communist Party.

MARRIAGE

During this time, Frida met the famous Mexican painter Diego Rivera, also known as the "Mexican Michelangelo." Their friendship gradually developed into a romantic relationship, and they married on August 21, 1929. Frida became Diego Rivera's third wife. Their marriage was often compared to that of an elephant and a dove due to their contrasting physical appearances.

Frida and Diago wedding and family life

Frida painted her second self-portrait in the same year they got married. However, their marriage faced challenges due to Rivera's expulsion from the Communist Party, which led Frida to leave the party as well. They traveled to the United States together in 1930, and Frida stayed there with Diego until he completed his mural commissions in 1933. Two years after their marriage, she created a painting titled "Frieda and Diego Rivera" based on a wedding photograph. This painting became her first work displayed at an exhibition.

Their marriage experienced ups and downs. Frida's health issues led to miscarriages and the amputation of her leg. Despite Diego's infidelity, they divorced in 1939, only to remarry a year later and settle into the "Blue House," where Frida spent her childhood.

Frida also had relationships with various men during her marriages, including a prominent Russian revolutionary, Leon Trotsky. After the assassination attempt on Trotsky's life, Frida distanced herself from him and temporarily left Mexico. She sought refuge with Diego in San Francisco, where they remarried.

LATER YEARS

Frida continued to paint, exhibiting her works not only in Mexico but also in the United States and France. In 1943, she began teaching at a new art school called La Esmeralda despite her deteriorating health. Due to her physical condition, she taught her classes from home and was affectionately called "Los Fridos" by her students. In 1948, she re-joined the Mexican Communist Party.

In 1950, her spinal issues led to a nine-month hospitalization. In April 1953, she held a solo exhibition in Mexico City, and in July of the same year, her leg was amputated.

DEATH

Frida Kahlo passed away on July 13, 1954, due to a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. Her final painting was a still life called "Viva la Vida." Her remains were cremated the following day, and her ashes are preserved at the Blue House, which Diego Rivera later donated to the government.

Films About Her Life

Frida Kahlo's life was depicted in the movie "Frida" (2002), with Salma Hayek portraying her. Additionally, a documentary titled "The Life and Times Of Frida Kahlo" was released in 2005.

HER ART

Frida created a total of 143 paintings, of which 55 were self-portraits. She spent a significant portion of her life confined to bed, often gazing into a mirror on the ceiling above her, leading her to create numerous self-portraits. Her mastery of capturing emotion and her unique style garnered admiration, even from artists like Pablo Picasso.

Frida was an animal lover, and she created two portraits involving her beloved pets: "Me and My Parrots" (1941) and "Self-Portrait with Monkeys" (1943).

While her art is often categorized as surrealist, Frida rejected this label. Her paintings were a reflection of pain and harsh realities. She incorporated Mexican culture and revolutionary ideals into her work. Though not many of her paintings were sold at her Paris exhibition, her works garnered significant attention, earning praise from notable artists like Picasso and Kandinsky. The Louvre Museum purchased one of her paintings, "The Frame." In 1953, she held her first personal exhibition in Mexico.

Despite her health challenges, Frida remained resilient, channeling her pain into her artwork. Her artistic legacy continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.