Frida Kahlo Mexican painter

Shaped by:
- Lifelong health struggles following a devastating bus accident.
- Mixed heritage: a German father of Hungarian descent and a Mexican mother of Spanish Native American descent.
- Complicated marriage to Mexican muralist Diego Rivera, whom she married in 1929, divorced in 1939, and remarried in 1940.
Despite limited success during her lifetime, her influence and legacy grew, particularly after her death.
Experience overshadowed by Rivera's murals, one of Mexico's most celebrated artists.
Posthumously achieved a phenomenon referred to as "friedomania" by the 21st century.

Childhood:
- Suffered from polio resulting in a lifelong limp.
- Close bond with her father, who was a professional photographer; assisted in his studio.
- Exhibited a keen interest in detail and an artistic eye.
Education:
- Shifted interest from science to art; attended the National Preparatory School in Mexico City aiming to study medicine.
- Met Diego Rivera while he was working on a mural for the school.
Bus Accident (1925):
- Frida was involved in a severe bus collision resulting in numerous injuries:
- Multiple fractures in spine, right leg, collarbone, ribs, and pelvis.
- Dislocated shoulder and crushed right foot.
- Punctured abdomen and uterus from an iron handrail.
- Post-accident, she underwent more than 30 medical procedures.
- Developed a self-taught painting practice while bedridden, influenced by studying the old masters.

Self Portrait Wearing Velvet Dress (1926):
- Noteworthy for Abstract and Naturalistic elements.
- Features a waist-length portrait against a dark background with stylized waves.
- Shows early signs of Kahlo's characteristic stoic gaze and elongated features, influenced by Mannerist painter Juan Bronzino.
Joined the Mexican Communist Party where she encountered Rivera again, leading to an encouragement to continue painting.

Marriage: Married Rivera in 1929.
Change in Personal Style: Adopted traditional Tehuana dresses, showcasing flowers, jewelry, and ruffled skirts as her trademark attire.
Frida and Diego Rivera (1931):
- Depicts her new attire and interest in Mexican folk art.
- Abstract representation indicates the roles within her marriage, where her identity as a traditional wife is illustrated.
Travel to the United States (1930-1933):
- Accompanied Rivera on commissions for murals across various US cities including San Francisco, Detroit, and New York.
- Faced personal tragedies such as miscarriages and the death of her mother during this period.
Impact of Personal Loss:
- Produced harrowing works reflecting her personal suffering, such as:
- Henry Ford Hospital (1932): Features her hemorrhaging on a hospital bed in a barren landscape.
- My Birth (1932): A graphic portrayal of childbirth, highlighting taboo themes.

Return to Mexico (1933) with Rivera:
- Lived in Casa Azul in Mexico City, a hub for artists and political activists.
- Hosted notable figures such as Leon Trotsky and Andre Breton (surrealist), who championed Kahlo's work.
- Breton organized her first solo exhibition in 1938 at Julianna Levy's gallery, portraying her as a self-taught surrealist.
- Successful Sale: Edward G. Robinson purchased four paintings.
Paris Exhibition (1939):
- Participation furthered her reach, meeting other surrealists including Marcel Duchamp.
- Acquired notable works such as The Frame (1938) recognized by the French government, marking her as a significant 20th-century Mexican artist.

Divorce from Rivera (1939):
- As a result of mutual extramarital affairs, their marriage ended but they reconciled shortly after.
The Two Fridas (1939):
- A significant piece illustrating duality within herself, showcasing two opposing figures holding hands:
- The left, in European wedding attire (rejected side).
- The right, in traditional Tehuana attire (beloved side).
- Features themes of identity and loss with graphic anatomical elements revealing vulnerability.

Reconciliation and Teaching: Moved into La Casa Azul, appointed as a professor at La Esmeralda (1943).
Continued to face health challenges:
- Frequently turned to alcohol and drugs for relief.
- Underwent multiple surgeries and prolonged hospital stays, leading to reliance on a wheelchair.
- Painted self-portraits during this period with consistent themes of resilience and stoicism.
- Portrait of Doctor Ferrill (1951): Featured her in a wheelchair.
Final Exhibition: Attended her first solo exhibition in Mexico in 1953 from a bed, reflecting her deteriorating health.
Death: Died at La Casa Azul in 1954, officially from a pulmonary embolism.

Frida Kahlo Museum: Established by Rivera at La Casa Azul posthumously, opened in 1958.
The residence has remnants of her life, including medical corsets, wardrobe, cosmetics, and letters.
Items from the museum have traveled globally for exhibitions, including:
- Victoria and Albert Museum (London, 2018)
- Brooklyn Museum (New York, 2019)
Published Works:
- The Diary of Frida Kahlo (1944-1954) published in 1955.
- Letters of Frida Kahlo published in the same year.
Cultural Impact: Kahlo's dramatic life events inspired numerous adaptations including the film Frida (2002) starring Salma Hayek.