Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo, and her self-portrait make her one of Mexico’s most famous 20th century female artist.  She is best know for self-portraits, 

and she painted most of them on her back from her bed.  Kahlo’s paintings are remembered for its “pain and passion”, and depictions of her beloved country, Mexico with its intense and vibrant colors.  

Kahlo suffered lifelong health problems, many which started from a tragic traffic accident early in her life.  Most of her works show her pain and how she suffered, and when you view a Kahlo painting you will feel the pain and struggles she underwent.   

Frida, has over 200 paintings, drawings and sketches relating to her experiences in life, including her volatile relationship with Diego Riviera.  Of all her paintings she painted herself most often.  When asked why she painted herself so often, she replied: ”Because I am so often alone… because I am the subject I know best.”

Yes, I did say her relationship with Diego Rivera, the famous Mexican Muralist.  He was 20 years older then Frida, and she married him at the young age of 22. This marriage was anything but lovely.  The relationship was stormy and passionate, with infidelities, divorce, remarriage, Frida’s bi-sexual affairs, her health and the worst for Frida was her inability to have children.  She was known to say, “I suffered two grave accidents in my life…one in which a streetcar knocked me down and the other was Diego.”  The Streetcar accident left her crippled physically and Rivera crippled her emotionally.  Frida Kahlo was an emotional artist and when you view her works you can feel her pain.  

Diego was always on her mind, till the day she died, July 13 1954.