in

Amazing Facts About Frida Kahlo That Will Surprise You

An artist and a political activist. These two words perfectly describe Frida Kahlo.

Freda Kahlo Portraits

Frida Kalo Facts You Might Not Know

In this post, we will cover a few exciting information about Frida Kahlo. So, let us get the ball rolling.

Frida Kahlo, by Guillermo Kahlo
Frida Kahlo, by Guillermo Kahlo

Her Works Reflect Social Issues

Kahlo, who is a Mexican artist, painted a wide array of portraits and self-portraits. Her inspiration in doing her creative works comes from artifacts and nature of the country. Moreover, the usual themes of her works include postcolonialism, class and race, gender, and sexual identity.

She Had Polio

When she was six years old, she had polio — a virus that could cause paralysis. This caused her to be bedridden for around nine months. That didn’t stop her, however, to go on with her life. In fact, she was known in her school as a spoken and brave child.

Fulang-Chang and I, 1937, oil on composition board, Cleveland Museum of Art
Fulang-Chang and I, 1937, oil on composition board, Cleveland Museum of Art

She Was Involved In A Road Accident

Back in 1922, the bus where the artist was riding collided with a car. And, yes, she was injured because of the road accident. Seriously injured, in fact. Her spine plus her hip were impaled and her pelvis was fractured. While she was in bed for three months, she made herself busy. Her parents bought her an easel and paint that she could use while on recovery.

She Married An Artist

Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird (1940)
Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird (1940)

Diego Rivera, also an artist, discovered Kahlo’s paintings in 1928.

Diego María de la Concepción Juan Nepomuceno Estanislao de la Rivera y Barrientos Acosta y Rodríguez, known as Diego Rivera was a prominent Mexican painter. His large frescoes helped establish the Mexican mural movement in Mexican art.

Between 1922 and 1953, Rivera painted murals in, among other places, Mexico City, Chapingo, Cuernavaca, San Francisco, Detroit, and New York City. In 1931, a retrospective exhibition of his works was held at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Rivera had a volatile marriage with fellow Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

For Rivera, her paintings were impressive. After a year, they got married. And oh, by the way, the two have already met in earlier years of their life.

They, however, had many affairs. For example, Rivera had an affair with Kahlo’s sister, making their marriage complicated.

She Was Always Wearing Bright, Gold, Stunning Clothing

This was, in fact, her signature clothing. She was always wearing such clothing anytime she and Rivera traveled to the US for commissioned murals.

Pablo Picasso Loved Her Works

Hot on the heels of her stint in the US, she headed to Paris way back 1939. Here, she got to meet different artists, including Pablo Picasso. And, yes, the latter was very impressed by her works.

Her Right Leg Was Amputated

Because she contracted gangrene years after, her right leg was amputated. As such, she wore a prosthetic leg. But, of course, she still kept on creating remarkable works despite the situation.

Frida photographed in 1932 by her father, Guillermo
Frida photographed in 1932 by her father, Guillermo

She Had Her Bed Delivered to the Gallery In Her Solo Exhibit

She had the chance to have a solo exhibit back in 1953. During the opening day of her exhibit, she had her bed delivered to the gallery. And, she was delivered by an ambulance. Now, that is called determination.

The Broken Column, 1944, Museo Dolores Olmedo, Xochimilco, Mexico City
The Broken Column, 1944, Museo Dolores Olmedo, Xochimilco, Mexico City

She Passed Away in 1954

On July 13, 1954, just a year after her solo exhibit, the renowned artist died. She was 46 during the time.

There you have it: Some interesting facts about Frida Kahlo. No one can deny that she is a great person and a remarkable artist. That is why, even after she passed away, her works and contributions remained popular to a lot of people across the globe.

Also read: LOOK: 19th Century Spain’s Master Painter tomb found in Manila’s Oldest Cemetery

Want more stories like this? Follow us on Facebook, and Twitter.

Comments

Loading…

0

Written by Markus Castro

A cat person by day and a writer by night. He loves to travel to his favorite destinations in Southeast Asia.

Fox-Like Cats Spotted in French Island

LOOK: New Fox-Like Cats Spotted in French Island

Twitter App Bug Alerts You If You Get Unfollowed