Frida Kahlo: The Artist's Life, Her Paintings, and Fascinating Facts

Contents:

• The First Tragedy: Collision with a Tram
• The Selfie Icon
• Diego: The Second Tragedy
• Trotsky
• Surrealism as a Gift to the Communists
• The USA Welcomes
• The Unfulfilled Dream of Motherhood
• Mexico: Cradle of Diversity and Inspiration
• Her Mark on Fashion

Frida Kahlo is not only a feminist icon, but also a vibrant symbol of Mexican culture. She also acts as a fashion icon and a commercially successful image, becoming a role model for people with disabilities.

Frida's main creation, in fact, became her own life, filled with an indefatigable desire for existence, suffering, passion and bright colors reflecting the scorching Mexican sun.

We will try to reflect the key moments of her life in twenty images and show the contribution this woman made to world culture.

Two serious tragedies happened in my life: the first was the incident when I was hit by a tram, and the second was Diego. With Diego, the situation is much more complicated.

Frida Kahlo

The First Tragedy: Collision with a Tram

September 17, 1925. Mexico City, a sunny day, youth - eighteen-year-old Frida gets on a bus with a friend. They talk, laugh, full of optimism... Suddenly, a tram, an accident, pain - a metal handrail penetrates her body, on it there are traces of blood and golden powder scattered from the purse of one of the passengers.

A triple fracture of the spine, as well as a fracture of the femoral neck and several ribs, the left leg is damaged in eleven places, the pelvis - in three, and the left foot is almost destroyed. In addition, the abdomen and uterus were injured. Now there is a long recovery process that will take several months.

Four years later, she created a work called "The Bus". Each of the characters contains a piece of Frida. The woman with the bob, her short hair and expressive eyebrows, and the submissive pose of the worker in overalls symbolize the acceptance of illness and how to cope with it. The breastfeeding woman personifies an unrealized, yet longed-for motherhood. The boy personifies curiosity, the man in a formal suit, elegance, and the young beauty embodies femininity.

A bright red scarf also flutters – a symbol of the thirst for movement. To fly away, fluttering from these fragile shoulders, to escape the dreary bus. Everything tightly compressed inside that the girl in bed was unable to express, she poured into her paintings and drawings, filling them with rich colors and vital energy.

The painting's frontal composition and symmetry are inherited from classical photography, as her father, Guillermo Kahlo, was a professional photographer. The self-portraits feature poses and head tilts typical of the 1920s and 1930s.

Fast forward one century. In 2024, an animated children's film called Halo Frida, based on a children's book, was released. The plot tells the story of a little girl who overcomes her disability and uniqueness with the help of her imagination and the support of her family.

In fact, Frida Kahlo suffered from polio at the age of six. After she recovered, it was discovered that her right leg was shorter and thinner than her left. As a result, the girl began to limp and wore shoes in which one shoe had a higher sole.

Her prolonged absence from school and her physical limitations led to ridicule from her classmates. It was during this period that she developed the ability to ignore cruelty, and her character was strengthened.

In 1922, Kahlo decided to go deeper She studied natural sciences with the goal of becoming a doctor. At a state vocational school, she was among 35 girls among 2,000 students, where her interest in politics and social justice issues began to blossom. However, her plans were soon derailed by an accident.

Frida will also be unable to receive a formal art education.

Selfie Icon

To distract their daughter during her rehabilitation, her parents purchased a paint set and decided to install an easel above her bed so she could paint while lying down. They also placed a mirror next to the easel.

She spends long hours studying her reflection and creates her first self-portrait as a gift for her boyfriend, Alejandro Gómez Arias, the same one she met on the bus. She is wearing a crimson dress, and her body is decorated with a golden ornament - like blood and gold powder.

Frida Kahlo would go on to create over fifty self-portraits.

She would again and again resort to the familiar three-quarter turn of the head, as well as the chest or shoulder angle, as is common in studio photographs. Mexican flowers, animals, and various ornaments will appear in her surroundings, and she will express her thoughts by drawing them directly on her forehead.

Because of her laconic composition and bright local colors, art critics would later classify this artist as naive art. For her use of Mexican themes, she will also be identified with folk art, and thanks to her ability to combine reality with personal memories and fears, Andre Breton will include her in the ranks of the surrealists.

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Freud, Marx and heads: what is surrealism

Surrealism is an artistic A movement that emerged in the early 20th century that sought to explore the depths of the human conscious and subconscious. Inspired by the psychoanalysis of Sigmund Freud, it emphasized dreams, fantasies, and the irrational aspects of existence. Surrealists sought to subvert traditional notions of reality and create new forms of expression where logic gave way to the absurd.

At the same time, the influence of Karl Marx and his ideas on class struggle and revolution also permeates this movement. Surrealists viewed art as a means for social change, striving for the liberation of not only individual consciousness but also society as a whole. They sought ways to combat oppression and suppression, using creativity as a tool for creating a new reality.

Surrealism found expression in painting, literature, and film, producing works full of vivid imagery and unexpected combinations. Artists such as Salvador Dalí and René Magritte created works that provoked viewers to reflect on the nature of perception and reality. Their paintings often feature elements that seem absurd, yet evoke profound emotions and thoughts.

Thus, Surrealism became an important stage in the development of art, pushing the boundaries of creativity and opening new horizons for understanding human nature. This movement continues to inspire contemporary artists and thinkers exploring the complex connections between reality, consciousness, and society.

Diego: The Second Tragedy

He was a true colossus. This large man was not only a prominent figure in the Mexican art world, but his work—massive murals imbued with communist concepts—was also a force to be reckoned with.

In the 1920s, after the revolutionary events in Mexico, new public buildings were actively being built, and the government commissioned Diego Rivera to carry out their artistic design. He skillfully combined modern political concepts with the rich historical and cultural heritage of his country.

His large-scale and outstanding paintings addressed iconographic examples, at the same time conveying revolutionary ideas and visually reflecting the emergence of new social strata.

He was two decades older than me.

With considerable experience in dating and love affairs, he felt inspired by this young woman whose spirit, despite her physical ailments, had not faded.

At the center of the mural "Arsenal", created in 1928, is a woman working in a bright red shirt, possessing features reminiscent of Frida: her posture, the shape of her eyebrows, and the tone of her skin.

Frida Kahlo grew up during a period when feminism was just beginning to develop actively, and the Mexican Revolution gave impetus to the women's rights movement. Even in her youth, she surprised her loved ones by experimenting with traditional gender roles. When Frida decided to marry Diego Rivera, she did so without the approval of her mother, who believed that a communist, atheist, and womanizer would not make a reliable spouse. Only her father, with whom Frida had a particularly close relationship, attended their wedding. However, she could not accept the role of a submissive wife, as her temperament did not allow her to forgive her partner's infidelities.

Trotsky

Diego was not faithful to Frida.

The constant physical suffering she experienced after the accident was compounded by mental anguish. She seemed to have decided to take revenge on her husband, but her new chosen one was expected to be more significant than the famous artist. He turned out to be a world-famous revolutionary, Diego's idol, who was forced to leave the Soviet Union.

By early January 1937, Leon Trotsky had already spent eight years in Europe, following his exile from the Soviet Union. During this time, he was actively lecturing, moving from country to country, and fearing for his life, as his former comrades in the Revolution disapproved of both his actions and his growing popularity. Rumor has it that Stalin himself ordered the elimination of his rival. His wife, Natalya Sedova, was also in exile with him.

When the situation became critical, the couple decided to move to another continent. At this time, Trotsky and Rivera are corresponding, in which the artist, who advocates communist ideals and is the leader of the party, discusses with the President of Mexico the possibility of providing asylum to this disgraced politician.

Lev Davidovich and his wife decide to settle in the "blue house", which belongs to Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.

From the very beginning of their acquaintance, the 58-year-old man was influenced not only by the hot southern sun, but also by the 29-year-old Mexican woman. She is attracted by his attention, and she feels flattered to be near such a significant figure. Even the presence of his wife in the next room does not interfere with their communication. At this time, Rivera was absent.

Trotsky, like a young lover, writes his letters to the young artist. However, these games soon begin to bore her. Nevertheless, she continues to work on another full-length self-portrait. In her hands is a letter addressed to her lover, dated November 7, 1937. On either side of her hang white curtains: just as she once opened the canopy of her bed, so on the canvas she reveals to the viewer the secrets of adultery, and, perhaps, above all, to Diego.

After failing to realize herself as a mother and wife, she decides to choose the "man's path" and focus on her professional work.

Surrealism as a Gift to the Communists

In the 1940s, the artist Kahlo donates one of her few major works, entitled "The Wounded Table," to the Soviet Union. However, this work did not cause much enthusiasm in the USSR.

At that time, surrealism in the Soviet Union was harshly criticized and labeled as "formalism". Artists, following the principles of socialist realism, were obliged to glorify the exploits of soldiers and shock workers, emphasizing collective achievements rather than individual experiences. Meanwhile, one painting reflected reflections on a failed marriage. This certainly didn't fit the ideals of the time! Furthermore, no one could forget the artist's connection to Trotsky, who was considered an enemy of the people.

In 1955, the painting was transported to Poland to be saved, but upon its return, it disappeared. Since then, the fate of this significant and unusual work by Frida Kahlo remains unknown. However, photographs have survived.

The curtains reappear before us, but this time they are casually gathered with cords. These velvet canvases, a rich blood-red hue and adorned with gold fringe, create an atmosphere of solemnity. The scene, which can be perceived as a reimagined version of "The Last Supper," depicts the martyr Frida and the traitor Diego, who represents Judas—an imposing body with a tiny head. Every element is imbued with symbolism: the sister's children symbolize unfulfilled motherhood, and the skeleton, a beloved pet deer with hopeful eyes, turns away. The table, symbolizing family life, rests on four human legs, and we cannot forget how difficult it was for Frida to move.

Frida is working on her painting with the goal of completing it in time for the International Surrealist Exhibition, which will feature works such as Salvador Dalí's The Persistence of Memory and René Magritte's The Treachery of Images.

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Frida, using elements of the frontal perspective of naive art, as well as features of Leonardo's Renaissance works and curtains reminiscent of Raphael's Sistine Madonna, shows herself not only as an artist who has achieved significant heights, but also as a master with a unique style.

After breaking up with Rivera, Kahlo begins preparing for her own exhibition, trying to impress both herself and others that she is more than just the ex-wife of a famous artist.

The USA Welcomes

In the 1930s and 1940s, Frida repeatedly visited the United States, both accompanied by her husband and alone. At this time, the country experienced a real flourishing of the film industry, fashion, and modern art. Diego Rivera, her husband, often accepted commissions from wealthy clients to create murals in public places and readily agreed to such projects.

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Frida felt a deep affection for San Francisco, while New York caused her hostility, and she had a bitter experience in Detroit miscarriage.

The artist is keenly aware of the contrast, drawing parallels between her country and its northern industrial neighbor, as depicted in her work "Self-Portrait (On the Border Between Mexico and the USA)".

She contrasts Mesoamerican pyramids with modern factories and skyscrapers, and contrasts traditional stone figurines with soulless metal pipes. She compares flowers, whose roots grow in fertile soil, to the inventions of civilization, such as the engine, the light bulb, and the loudspeaker, whose wires also go into the ground.

If the American flag is immersed in clouds of factory emissions, then the Mexican flag is proudly held in the hands of the daughter of this country.

North America, however, showed goodwill towards the Mexican couple. During their life, the artist's works were actively sold and exhibited here, and new canvases were commissioned. Currently, her works can be found in institutions such as MoMA, where the work "My Grandparents, My Parents and Me" (1936) is kept, in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts with the painting "Two Women" (1928), and in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, where "Frida and Diego Rivera" (1931) is located. In addition, many of her works are kept in private collections; For example, the famous singer Madonna became the owner of the painting "My Birth", created in 1932.

An Unfulfilled Dream of Motherhood

In her marriage, Frida Kahlo repeatedly attempted to become a mother, but her body, damaged by an accident, was too fragile. She created several heartfelt paintings on this theme, reflecting her experiences after miscarriages and forced abortions, lost in thought at her easel.

In her studio, she kept a poster depicting the stages of fetal development. She created this poster from her hospital bed, pouring out her thoughts about motherhood, her emaciated body, and the umbilical cord connecting her to her newborn. In her still lifes, she used symbolism to express the theme of childbirth, depicting cut fruits with their juicy pulp.

In the early 1940s, Mexican President Manuel Ávila Camacho asked Frida to create a still life for the dining room of his official residence. The painting depicted Mexican flowers and fruits, but the First Lady considered the work too provocative and decided to return it to the artist.

Perhaps no one in the history of painting has conveyed the loss of a child so frankly and with such profound emotion as Frida Kahlo in her work "Henry Ford Hospital." In the canvas, she is depicted in a hospital bed, seemingly suspended between life and death, as the bed itself casts no shadow. An atmosphere of gloom reigns around her—not literally, but figuratively. This masterpiece is painted on a metal plate.

Her creations and pets - cats, dogs, pygmy deer, parrots, eagles and monkeys - became the artist's children, captured on self-portraits.

Mexico: Cradle of Diversity and Inspiration

In Detroit, USA, in 1932, a Mexican woman suffered a tragic miscarriage, and her homesickness grew stronger. Surrounded by lifeless factories and the constant noise of factories, she felt a deep nostalgia for her homeland and expressed her feelings through painting, creating pictures full of memories of home.

Frida Kahlo has become a symbol of Mexican national identity, as her work drew inspiration from a combination of Catholic culture and pre-Columbian American traditions. She celebrated nature, customs, ornamentation, and symbolism, reflecting the richness of Mexican culture.

During high school, Frida was influenced by intellectuals who actively supported and developed the concept of indigenismo, a new awareness of Mexican identity. Followers of this movement were proud of their Native American heritage and sought to overcome colonial stereotypes that considered Europe superior to Mexico. The artist emphasized that her maternal grandfather was an Indian, and that she was breastfed by an Indian woman.

In "The Loving Embrace of the Universe, the Earth (Mexico), Diego, Me, and Mr. Xolotl," one can see multiple layers of intertwined and nourishing embraces. The universe is represented as an indistinct entity on the border between day and night, and the Mexican Indian woman has the characteristic features of a dripping chest. The surrounding plants and cacti also reach out with their "arms" and roots to this feminine energy of the Earth. Frida embraces the naked Diego as if he were her child, creating a textbook image of a mother. The third eye, located on his forehead, represents wisdom and intelligence.

She sincerely admired Rivera, calling him "master," but she was also acutely aware of his childish traits and understood that he required special attention and care. As for Mr. Xolotl, he was their family pet—a hairless dog of the unique Xoloitzcuintle breed, whose history dates back to the Aztecs, who considered it sacred. The dog dozed peacefully at the feet of his mistress, in harmony with the world around him.

In 1953 Frida Kahlo's health deteriorated significantly, leading to the amputation of her leg. By the time her solo exhibition opened, the artist was already forced to lie in the bed prepared for her. "Why do I need legs when I have wings to fly?" she said.

On July 13, 1954, at the age of 47, the artist left this world, leaving the inscription "Viva la Vida" - long live life! - on her last work with bright watermelons.

Her Mark on Fashion

Frida had a significant impact on the fashion world: as early as the 1930s, she attracted the attention of photographers with her exotic outfits in New York and Paris. As a result, her images graced the covers of Vogue magazine in 1937 and 1939. The artist emphasized her Mexican identity by choosing Tijuana costumes, as can be seen in her painting "My Dress Hangs Here."

She She adorned her hair with large flowers. She wore a loose, patterned square top that concealed her orthopedic corsets. She carefully hid her damaged legs and shoes with heels of different heights under long, bright skirts.

Many designers have drawn and continue draw inspiration from her:

• In 1998, Jean-Paul Gaultier created an entire collection inspired by Frida.
• Ricardo Tisci paid tribute to her life through the Givenchy couture collection created in 2010.
• In 2018, the Dolce & Gabbana brand held a haute couture show that was full of bright colors.
• That same year, Alessandro Michele, creative director of Gucci, dedicated his homage to Mexican culture.

Do you remember how gold powder flew around Frida after the accident when the bus collided with the tram? Yes, she managed to transform her pain - both physical and emotional - into art that continues to delight and attract attention a hundred years after the tragedy.

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