The most iconic artist in the world left her mark in history with moving self-portraits and notable works. Why is Frida Kahlo famous? This Mexican painter is best known for her colored self-portraits that deal with identity, death, and human body themes. There are several fascinating facts about Frida Kahlo. Let’s delve into it.
Interesting Frida Kahlo Facts
From double identity to the mystery of her death, there are several interesting facts about Frida Kahlo. Here are some curious Frida Kahlo facts you must know.
1. Double Identity
Why is Frida Kahlo famous?
- A. Mexican Painter
- B. Musician
- C. Dancer
- D. Celebrity
Frida Kahlo showcases her identity through the technique of doubling images in her artworks. The Two Fridas painting shows her two different personalities. One is the traditional Frida with a broken heart sitting next to the modern and independently dressed Frida. Both are holding hands in this painting with visible hearts.
2. Polio’s Impact
When she was six, Frida was affected by polio, which caused her right leg to be shorter and thinner than her left. She used to hide her legs by wearing long colorful skirts. Frida took months off from school because of her illness. As she struggled to overcome the challenges, her dad introduced her to the world of sports. With his guidance, she found the strength she needed to push through her obstacles.
3. Ambition to Become a Doctor
Before choosing the artist career, she wanted to become a doctor. Frida was fascinated by biology and science and dreamed of becoming a doctor one day.
4. A Devastating Bus Accident
On 17 September 1925, Frida and her boyfriend were riding in a bus that crashed into a street trolley car. As a result, she had broken ribs, collar bone, pelvis, spinal column, and fractures in her legs. Frida spent three months to recover from the accident. She gave up her pre-med program and started painting after the bus accident.
5. Painting Through Pain
When Frida Kahlo struggled with chronic pain, painting allowed her to escape from hardships. Her depression and pain worsened when she grew up. She consumed large amounts of alcohol and her physicians managed her pain with morphine.
6. The Master of Self-Portraits
Frida Kahlo is known as the master of self-portraits. Throughout her career, she created 143 paintings, of which 55 are self-portraits. Most of her self-portraits include psychological and physical wounds.
7. A Passionate Communist
She was a member of the communist party of Mexico. Frida was born on 6th July 1907, however, she insisted that her birthday was on 7th July 1910 to align with the Mexican Revolution.
8. Love and Revolution
Frida admired the painting of Diego Rivera, a famous Mexican painter, when she was 20. They both fell for each other despite their 20-year age gap. Her marriage with Diego revolved around several affairs and both divorced in 1939. However, they remarried a year later.
9. Fashion Icon Status
Frida has become an icon due to her multifaceted life and unique personality. She was a popular figure for women’s inner strength, courage, and love for Mexico and its culture. Frida was a genuine woman who reflected her emotions and feelings well.
10. Artistic Inspiration
She painted her disabilities and injuries as an artist. Her famous paintings, such as Without Hope and The Broken Column are true examples. Frida Kahlo once said, “I paint myself because I am so often alone and because I am the subject I know best.”
11. Enduring Legacy
Frida Kahlo’s face is on Mexican currency. The 500 Mexican peso bill contains two portraits, one on each side. Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, the two notable artists, are a famous couple. The bill was released to identify the anniversary of the Mexican Revolution.
Apart from the Mexican currency, there are several currencies used all over the world. Look at these 7 currencies stronger than the US dollar.
12. Miscarriage Misery
Frida Kahlo underwent several therapeutic abortions and miscarriages. She depicted all these in her paintings from the 1930s.
13. Born and Died in the Same House
Frida was born in Coyoacán, Mexico, in her family home, The Blue House. There, she settled with her husband and stayed until her death.
14. The Mystery of Her Death
Frida Kahlo died on 13th July 1954 and the reason for her death was pneumonia. However, some people stated that she overdosed on painkillers. Despite her scores of surgeries, physical ailments, and chronic pains, her talent as an artist is irreplaceable.
15. Movies Based on Her Life
Numerous documentaries, articles, and books have been made based on Kahlo’s art and life. One of the bestselling books is ‘Frida: The Biography of Frida Kahlo,’ written in 1983 by Hayden Herrera. The movie, ‘Frida, Naturaleza Viva,’ was a great success in the same year. Another biographical film, ‘Frida,’ released in 2002, won two Academy Awards.
Painting of Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo is notable for various self-portraits with passion, pain, bold and vibrant colors. Life experience is the primary theme in Kahlo’s drawings and paintings. Self-portrait in a Velvet Dress was her first drawing in 1926. Her other artifacts include Me and My Parrots, Self-portrait on the Borderline Between Mexico and the US, Without Hope, Self Portrait as a Tehuana, My Grandparents, My Parents and Me. All her paintings were sold for high prices.
Check out more of her paintings: https://www.fridakahlo.org/frida-kahlo-paintings.jsp
Kahlo expanded the language of selfhood, loss, and death throughout her drawings. Her marvelous drawings include The Accident, Fantasy, The Watching Eye, Karma I, The Liberty, Ruina, and The Hand.
Quotes by Frida Kahlo
Frida always opened up with her ideas and life. Here is the list of quotes by Frida Kahlo:
Hope you have an idea about Frida Kahlo’s facts, drawings, and other self-portraits. Follow her valuable quotes in your daily life to survive difficult situations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Frida Kahlo
1. Who is Frida Kahlo?
A Mexican artist best known for her colored self-portraits that deal with identity, death, and human body themes.
2. When did Frida Kahlo paint Self-Portrait Wearing a Velvet Dress?
In 1926, Kahlo painted her self-portrait with a velvet dress. This portrait is her token of love and emotional tension.
3. Which of Frida Kahlo’s paintings is displayed in the Louvre?
The Frame painting by Kahlo was bought by the Louvre in 1939. She seemed to be experimenting with different mediums in this portrait.
4. When was the Frida Kahlo Museum established?
In 1958, the family home of Frida Kahlo served as a museum dedicated to her work and life. It is one of the most visited museums in Mexico.
5. What happened to Frida Kahlo when she was 18?
Frida met with a violent accident at age 18. She traveled with her boyfriend in a bus that crashed into a street trolley car in 1925. As a result, she had broken ribs, collar bone, pelvis, spinal column, and fractures in her legs.