25 Facts about Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo was a Mexican artist best known for her self–portraits and vibrant, symbolic works that reflected her turbulent life. She was born on July 6, 1907 in Coyoacán, Mexico and died on July 13, 1954. Here are 25 facts about her life and works:

1. Frida Kahlo was born Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderón. She was the third daughter of her father, Guillermo Kahlo, a German photographer, and her mother, Matilde Calderón y González, a Mexican of Spanish and Indigenous descent.

2. As a child, she contracted polio which left her right leg and foot weakened and withered. Growing up, she used a brace and cane to help her walk.

3. Kahlo was a bright student who was accepted into the prestigious National Preparatory School in 1922, where she was the only female in a class of about 400 students.

4. In 1925, Kahlo was involved in a bus accident that left her with a broken spinal column, broken collarbone, broken ribs, and a broken pelvis. She also suffered from internal injuries and had to have a steel plate inserted into her abdomen.

5. During her recovery, Kahlo began painting to pass the time. She was inspired by the works of Diego Rivera, her future husband, and other Mexican artists of the time.

6. Kahlo’s first solo exhibition was in 1929 in Mexico City. Her works were well–received and she gained recognition among the Mexican avant–garde.

7. In 1929, Kahlo married Diego Rivera, which was a complex relationship. They were together until Rivera’s death in 1957.

8. In 1931, Kahlo had her first solo exhibition in the United States, at the Julien Levy Gallery in New York City.

9. Kahlo’s works often depicted painful events from her life, such as miscarriages, her feelings of abandonment, and her physical suffering.

10. Kahlo’s self–portraits are often said to be a form of self–reflection and self–exploration.

11. In 1940, Kahlo had her first solo exhibition in her native Mexico. The exhibition was a success and she was celebrated as a great artist.

12. Kahlo and Rivera divorced in 1940 but remarried in 1941 and stayed together until Rivera’s death in 1957.

13. Kahlo’s works often included symbols of Mexican culture and folklore.

14. Kahlo was an ardent communist and was a member of the Mexican Communist Party.

15. Kahlo was a great admirer of the Russian revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin and was inspired by his writings.16. In 1953, Kahlo underwent her first major surgery which was unsuccessful and caused her severe pain.

17. Kahlo was a great advocate of indigenous rights and was a member of the Mexican Indigenous Congress.

18. In 1954, Kahlo traveled to the United States for the second time in her life and participated in an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

19. Kahlo was a great admirer of American singer Josephine Baker and her works often made references to Baker’s music and performances.

20. Kahlo was a great admirer of the Mexican revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata and was inspired by his writings.

21. Kahlo was a great supporter of the Cuban Revolution and a friend of Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

22. Kahlo was a great admirer of the Mexican muralist movement and was inspired by the works of Diego Rivera and other Mexican muralists.

23. Kahlo‘s works often contained symbolic elements such as animals, plants, skulls, and crosses which were meant to convey her innermost thoughts and feelings.

24. Kahlo’s works often contained references to her own physical suffering and her struggles with pain.

25. Kahlo’s life and works are celebrated in Mexico and around the world. She is one of the most famous and iconic figures in Mexican art.

Kahlo’s art has had a lasting impact on contemporary art, and her works continue to be celebrated around the world. Her paintings are seen as a representation of the human condition, and her unique style has been cited as an inspiration by many modern artists. Kahlo’s art embodies a strong sense of self, and has had a lasting impact on the way many people view art and life.