the life and times of Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo: A Life Transformed Through Art

Early Life and Background

• Frida Kahlo was born in 1907 near Mexico City, during a time of significant revolution. She transformed her pain into art, creating haunting images that reflected her experiences.

• At the age of 19, she suffered a life-altering accident that left her with permanent injuries, prompting her to begin painting during her recovery. Her art became a means to articulate her struggles.

Relationships and Personal Struggles

• Throughout her life, Kahlo had numerous lovers but shared a profound connection with fellow artist Diego Rivera. Their tumultuous relationship significantly influenced her adult life and artistic expression.

• Despite creating impactful artwork, Kahlo's paintings were largely overlooked during her lifetime; she painted primarily for herself as an escape from personal troubles. She expressed this sentiment by stating she painted "simply because I have nothing else to do."

Family Influence and Childhood Challenges

• Born in Coyoacan in a blue house built by her father, Frida lived there intermittently until her death at 47 years old. Her family background included a German Jewish immigrant father and a mostly Indian mother from Oaxaca.

• As a child, Frida faced health challenges when diagnosed with polio at six years old, which resulted in lasting physical effects. Her father's encouragement helped shape her resilience against societal norms regarding femininity.

Impact of the Mexican Revolution

• The Mexican Revolution (beginning in 1910) profoundly impacted Frida's childhood and identity formation; it represented national self-recognition and creativity across various cultural domains including art and literature.

• By the time she reached adolescence, the revolution had transformed Mexico socially and politically; this environment fostered an outburst of creativity that influenced young artists like Kahlo as they sought authentic expressions of their culture.

Education and Artistic Development

• In 1922, Frida enrolled at the National Preparatory School as one of its first female students where she engaged deeply with intellectual discussions alongside male peers about philosophy and politics while dreaming of becoming a doctor.

• The school served as an experimental site for post-revolutionary education focused on public murals that depicted Mexican history through indigenous mythology and social themes—an initiative that inspired many young artists including Kahlo who admired Diego Rivera’s work within this context.

Frida Kahlo's Early Life and Influences

Frida's Romantic Relationships

• Frida Kahlo's romantic attention was directed towards Alejandro Gomez Arias, with whom she fell deeply in love by the age of 16.

• Alejandra noted that Frida was sexually precocious, viewing sex as a vital impulse for enjoying life; she was also reportedly seduced by a woman from the library.

The Bus Accident

• On a rainy day in 1925, while riding home with Alejandro, Frida's life changed dramatically when their bus collided with a trolley car.

• The accident resulted in severe injuries for Frida: her spine and pelvis were broken in three places, her right leg in eleven, along with other significant injuries.

Recovery and Artistic Awakening

• Doctors doubted her survival; however, Frida learned to channel her physical limitations into painting as a new form of activity.

• She began painting what had not been fulfilled in her life, often using herself as the main subject due to her introspective nature following the accident.

Self-Portraits and Personal Struggles

• Her first self-portrait was created for Alejandro after he distanced himself due to infidelities; she wanted him to remember her fondly.

• Despite their tumultuous relationship, they briefly reconciled after he accepted the portrait she gifted him.

Cultural Renaissance in Mexico City

• By 1925, Mexico emerged from revolution into an artistic renaissance; Frida joined this vibrant cultural scene at age 21 despite ongoing health issues.

• Mexico City represented modernity itself—a stark contrast to traditional customs that oppressed personal expression and freedom.

Social Circles and Political Engagement

• Frida became part of a community of Marxists and artists who rebelled against societal norms, embracing free expression through art and lifestyle choices.

• This period marked a significant break from conservative traditions as they sought liberation through creativity and open discussions about politics and society.

Meeting Diego Rivera

• At a party filled with mischief-making individuals carrying pistols, Frida noticed Diego Rivera again—an influential figure known for his boldness.

• Diego’s reputation preceded him; he was unafraid to express controversial opinions or engage in reckless behavior that shocked society.

Diego Rivera's Artistic Journey

• After years studying Cubism in Paris during the Revolution, Diego returned to Mexico as a prominent muralist aligned with Communist ideals.

• He dedicated himself tirelessly to exploring Mexican themes through his art while maintaining numerous relationships before meeting Frida.

Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera: An Unlikely Artistic Pairing

The Meeting of Two Artists

• Frida boldly approached Diego with her canvases, impressing him with her talent. He later described her as an "authentic artist" after seeing more of her work.

• Their initial connection was marked by mutual admiration; Diego viewed Frida as a diamond among lesser jewels, while she regarded him as the greatest artist.

A Complicated Relationship

• Despite their affection, their relationship faced challenges due to age differences and personal struggles; Frida was 21 and Diego 41, with contrasting physical appearances.

• Guillermo, Frida's father, expressed concern over his daughter's health issues but ultimately gave permission for their marriage despite his reservations about her future.

Struggles with Fidelity and Heartache

• Diego's infidelity became a significant strain on their marriage; he accepted a doctor's diagnosis that he was unfit for monogamy. This led to heartbreak for Frida, who felt betrayed yet remained devoted to him.

• After suffering a miscarriage due to medical complications, Frida grappled with grief and fear regarding her ability to have children in the future. She coped through painting and domestic activities during this difficult time.

Artistic Expression Amidst Pain

• During this period of turmoil, Frida began creating intimate paintings that reflected her personal experiences rather than grand historical themes like those favored by Diego. Her works often measured less than a foot square in size.

• Influenced by Mexican folk art and ex-votos from Catholic churches, her art conveyed deep emotional narratives rather than epic revisions of history or politics.

Political Climate and New Opportunities

• By 1930, Mexico's political environment had become hostile towards leftist artists like Diego; many muralists were forced into exile due to violent backlash against communism. This prompted an invitation for Diego to paint murals in the U.S., which he embraced as an opportunity for revolutionary expression in capitalist America.

Life in America: Cultural Clashes

• Upon arriving in San Francisco in November 1930, they encountered cultural differences; while Diego worked tirelessly on his art projects, he expressed disdain for American culture at times. His dedication led him to work continuously without breaks during intense sessions of creativity.

Personal Turmoil During Professional Success

• As they moved on to Detroit for another commission focused on modern industry themes, Frida faced another pregnancy that ended tragically when she lost the baby after severe complications arose during labor at Henry Ford Hospital. This event deeply affected both artists emotionally and creatively.

Transformative Art Through Grief

• Following the loss of her child, Frida turned to drawing as a means of expressing her anguish; she created poignant artworks that captured pain uniquely—an achievement noted by Diego who praised the depth of emotion she portrayed through her art during this challenging time in Detroit.

Frida Kahlo's Artistic and Psychological Journey

Struggles in the United States

• Frida Kahlo experienced homesickness during her four years in the U.S., filling hotel walls with Mexican folk art to cope with her feelings.

• Diego Rivera, enjoying his celebrity status, resisted returning to Mexico, believing that revolution would occur in industrialized nations. He urged Frida to sacrifice her desires for the cause.

Personal Turmoil and Infidelity

• Frida expressed deep concern for Diego's health, feeling responsible for his misery after their return to Mexico. She noted that he blamed her for his struggles.

• Despite new mural commissions, Diego became infatuated with Frida's sister Cristina, leading to immense emotional pain for Frida as she grappled with betrayal from both loved ones.

Transformation and Independence

• Following the affair revelation, Frida cut her hair short and abandoned traditional attire as a form of rebellion against Diego’s preferences. She moved into a small apartment alone with her pet monkey.

• Reflecting on lost time spent supporting Diego, she began painting again, channeling both personal pain and broader female experiences into her work while rejecting fidelity as a bourgeois concept.

New Relationships and Self-Discovery

• As she explored new relationships casually and seriously—including one with photographer Nicholas Marais—Frida maintained that no one could replace Diego in her heart despite these affairs being temporary substitutes.

• In letters to Diego, she expressed longing for their connection even after living apart for nearly a year; ultimately choosing to return to him rather than pursue independence alone.

Reconciliation and Political Engagement

• Upon moving back into their shared home designed by Diego in San Angel, Frida reconnected with family but struggled with feelings of laziness and sentimentality amidst political changes in Mexico during the mid-thirties.

• The rise of communism influenced artistic circles in Mexico City; however, unlike many artists who supported Russian Bolsheviks, Frida focused on aiding Republicans fighting Franco due to personal convictions about justice against fascism.

Complex Political Views

• Although not politically ideologically driven herself, Frida was drawn to prominent figures like Stalin and Trotsky without fully endorsing any political ideal; instead focusing on individual stories within a context of suffering.

The Rise of Frida Kahlo and Her Artistic Journey

Stalin's Influence and Trotsky's Exile

• By 1936, Joseph Stalin had solidified his power in Russia, leading to the exile of rival Leon Trotsky. This created a divide among communist communities globally.

Diego Rivera's Support for Trotsky

• Diego Rivera supported Trotsky by seeking asylum for him and his wife Natalia from President Cardenas, resulting in their arrival in Veracruz in December. Frida met them at the boat due to Diego's health issues.

Frida's Affair with Trotsky

• After bringing the Trotskys to live at the Blue House, an affair developed between Frida and Trotsky, which ended when she grew tired of him. She later created a self-portrait for him that he left behind upon moving out.

Frida’s Artistic Development

• Reflecting on her life choices, Frida expressed her love for Diego while acknowledging her lack of professional accomplishments until she began painting monkeys seriously. She produced about 12 small paintings that were personally significant but initially received mixed reviews.

Recognition as an Artist

• Encouraged by Diego, Frida submitted four paintings to a group show in Mexico City, gaining attention from critics who recognized her originality and compared her work favorably to renowned artists like Orozco and Rivera.

Surrealism and Cultural Identity

• The arrival of André Breton marked a significant moment; he viewed Mexican reality as inherently surreal and acknowledged that Latin American culture had long embraced surrealism before it was defined by French artists post-WWI.

Misunderstanding Surrealism

• Despite being perceived as a surrealist artist, Frida clarified that she painted her own reality rather than dreams. Following her successful exhibition in Mexico City, she received an invitation from Julian Levy for a show in New York focused on surrealists.

Success Abroad

• In October 1938, without Diego, Frida found respect as an independent artist during her New York exhibition which was highly successful; this led to further opportunities including an invitation to Paris where she faced challenges with gallery arrangements upon arrival.

Discontent with Parisian Art Scene

• Disillusioned by the lack of preparation for her Paris show and frustrated with fellow artists' lifestyles, Frida expressed disdain towards them while dealing with health issues that required hospitalization due to kidney infections.

Recovery and Continued Success

• During recovery from illness, rumors circulated about a developing relationship between Frida and Jacqueline Lambe (Breton’s wife). Eventually, Marcel Duchamp helped exhibit her work successfully in Paris despite initial setbacks; this led to widespread acclaim including features in Vogue magazine.

Return to Mexico Amid Personal Turmoil

• Returning to Mexico in April 1939 at age 32 marked both personal success as an artist but also escalating troubles with Diego leading towards divorce proceedings; she felt profound loneliness amidst these changes while continuing artistic expression through self-portraits reflecting dual aspects of herself related to Diego’s affection or lack thereof.

Frida Kahlo's Struggles and Resilience

Frida's Health Decline and Diego's Regret

• Frida's health deteriorated rapidly after Diego left Mexico with his assistant, rumored to be his romantic interest. She suffered in bed for three months with severe pain and a spinal condition that doctors believed required surgery.

• During this time, Frida lost significant weight and felt increasingly hopeless about her situation. Diego expressed deep concern over her illness and began to regret their separation, indicating he wanted to remarry her.

Affair and Remarriage

• While recovering in the hospital under medical care and Diego’s affection, Frida engaged in an affair with Heinz Berggruen, a young German Jewish refugee working for Diego. They spent a month together in New York as she contemplated her future.

• On Diego’s 54th birthday, they remarried in a civil ceremony in San Francisco but returned to Mexico shortly after completing the murals. Despite feeling better physically, Frida struggled emotionally due to ongoing health issues.

Ongoing Health Challenges

• By age 37, Frida faced severe health challenges that would persist for the next decade; she was unable to sit or stand without support due to a weakened spine and underwent numerous medical procedures including x-rays and blood transfusions. She was fitted with multiple metal corsets which she referred to as "punishment."

• Her addiction to morphine began during this period as she sought relief from chronic pain; her journal became filled with sketches reflecting her love for Diego amidst personal struggles. The journal served as both an artistic outlet and a testament of love towards him.

Political Awakening

• As her physical condition worsened, Frida developed strong political beliefs leaning towards communism; she associated it with community support against loneliness while creating art that reflected these ideals of unity among all beings. She started portraits of prominent communist figures like Stalin and Mao.

• Her philosophy intertwined life experiences with revolutionary ideas: “Anguish and pain... are no more than a process for existence.” This perspective highlighted her belief in interconnectedness among people through shared suffering and joy.

Final Years and Legacy

• Despite declining health leading up to an art exhibition organized by friend Lola Alvarez Bravo—an event meant to honor Frida while she was still alive—she arrived at the gallery frail yet vibrant, embodying resilience even near death. The exhibition drew significant attention internationally highlighting the inseparability of her life from her artwork.

• Following surgery that resulted in amputation of part of her leg, silence enveloped Frida’s recovery period until just before her passing when she created one last painting inscribed with “Viva la vida” (long live life), expressing hopefulness despite impending death on July 13, 1954 at age 47. Her friends adorned her body posthumously with flowers symbolizing beauty amid tragedy.

Frida Kahlo's Death and Diego Rivera's Grief

The Impact of Frida's Death on Diego

• People paid their respects to Frida Kahlo as they filed past her bed, highlighting the profound impact she had on those around her.

• A friend of Diego Rivera noted that he transformed into an "old man" within hours after Frida's passing, indicating the deep emotional toll it took on him.

• Diego was described as looking like a "soul cut in two," emphasizing his grief and sense of loss following Frida’s death.

• He lived only three years after her passing, suggesting that her death significantly affected his will to live or create.

• Diego admitted that it was only after Frida died that he truly understood the depth and power of her love, reflecting on their complex relationship.