Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo - Artists, Facts and Personal Life

Violet FieldHome › MexicanFrida KahloJuly 6, 1907678 views

0 based on 0 rates
Frida Kahlo Biography Stories 

Frida Kahlo's Personal Details

Frida Kahlo was a renowned Mexican artist, well known for her self-portraits

InformationDetail
BirthdayJuly 6, 1907
Died onJuly 13, 1954
NationalityMexican
FamousBisexual, Hispanic Painters, Artists & Painters, Artists, Miscellaneous, Surrealist Artists
SpousesDiego Rivera
Known asFrida Kahlo de Rivera
Cause of death
  • Drug Overdose
Birth PlaceCoyoacán
ReligionRoman Catholic
GenderFemale
FatherGuillermo Kahlo
MotherCarl Wilhelm Kahlo
Sun SignCancer
Born inCoyoacán
Famous asPainter
Died at Age47

// Famous Surrealist Artists

Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso was one of the greatest painters of the 20th century. With this biography, explore his life, childhood, profile and timeline.

Rene Magritte

Rene Magritte

Rene Magritte was a Belgian surrealist artist known for his thought-provoking images that force the observers to think beyond their perceptions of reality. This biography provides information about his childhood, life, works & achievements.

Leonora Carrington

Leonora Carrington

Leonora Carrington was an English-born Mexican artist and painter. Yhis biography profiles her childhood, life, painting career, works, achievements and timeline.

Frida Kahlo's photo

Who is Frida Kahlo?

Frida Kahlo was a great Mexican painter best known for her self-portraits. She combined traditional Mexican folk art with surrealism, making her paintings a symbolic form of self-expression. A self-taught artist, painting was not her first choice as a career, until a tragic incident changed her destiny and left her severely injured. She spent most of her recovery time painting and later went on to choose this as a medium to convey her pain and suffering. Some of her most notable works include 'Self Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird’, ‘Memory or The Heart’, ‘Henry Ford Hospital’, ‘The Broken Column’, ‘Me and My Parrot’, ‘Self Portrait with Monkeys’, ‘What I saw in the Water’ and ‘The Dream’. One of the best known artists of the 20th century, Kahlo spent her entire life in chronic pain, infertility and disability. Leading an unhappy marital life, Kahlo had several extramarital affairs and was one of the most sexually liberated women of her times.

// Famous Hispanic Painters

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat was an American graffiti artist who was one of the leading lights of the neo expressionist era in the 1980s. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso was one of the greatest painters of the 20th century. With this biography, explore his life, childhood, profile and timeline.

Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali was a Spanish painter who was an advocate of surrealism. Read this biography to know more about his life.

Childhood & Early Life

Frida Kahlo was born in Coyoac�n, Mexico to Guillermo Kahlo, a photographer and Matilde Calder�n y Gonz�lez.

In 1922, she started attending ‘Escuela Nacional Preparatoria’, one of Mexico’s leading schools. She grew up at the time of the Mexican Revolution and witnessed many incidents of violence and armed struggle.

In 1924, she learned photography skills from her father and was taught how to use the camera and develop photographs. This experience would later help in her future endeavours.

Before the bus accident of 1925, she worked as an apprentice under Fernando Fernandez, a commercial paint maker. He taught her the basics of drawing and copy printing.

On September 17, 1925, she suffered serious injuries as a result of an accident - the bus she was travelling in collided with a trolley car. She suffered severe and multiple injuries.

In 1926, while she was recovering from injuries, she experimented with panting and tried her hand at watercolours and oil paints. The following year, she recovered and became a member of the Young Communist League.

Career

In 1930, she moved to San Francisco with her husband Diego, where he had been offered a project to paint murals. She met many prominent personalities from the field of art and painted ‘Frieda and Diego Rivera’, a portrait.

In 1931, she displayed her work to the public for the first time at the ‘Sixth Annual Exhibition of the San Francisco Society of Women Artists’. Here, she displayed ‘Frieda and Diego Rivera’, a portrait of her and Diego Rivera.

In May 1931, she returned alone to Mexico and her husband joined her in June. In November that year, she travelled to New York with her husband via sea to attend his retrospective exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art.

In 1937, four of her paintings were showcased at the Galeria de Arte, National Autonomous University of Mexico. This was the first public exhibition of her art work in Mexico.

In 1938, she met French poet and surrealist Andre Breton, who had a look at her unfinished painting ‘What the Water Gave Me’ He labelled it as a surreal work and offered to display her art in Paris.

Later in 1938, four of her paintings were purchased by art collector and actor Edward G. Robinson, who paid $200 for each of the paintings. This was one of her noteworthy sales.

In October 1938, she travelled to New York in order to showcase her first solo exhibition, which was held at the Julien Levy Gallery. She displayed twenty five of her paintings and more than half of them were sold.

In 1939, she displayed her art works at the ‘Mexique’ exhibition in Paris, which opened at the Colle Gallery. Her self-portrait ‘The Frame’ was purchased by Louvre, the largest Museum in the world.

In 1940, her paintings ‘The Two Fridas’ and ‘The Wounded Table’ were displayed at the International Surrealism Exhibition, which was held at the Gallery of Mexican Art.

Later in 1940, she travelled to San Francisco to display her work at the exhibition of ‘Contemporary Mexican Painting and Graphic Art’, which was held at the Palace of Fine Art.

In 1941, her art work was displayed at the ‘Modern Mexican Painters’ exhibition, which was held at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in Boston. The following year, she was a participant at the Seminar of Mexican Culture.

In 1942, she displayed her ‘Self-Portrait with Braid’ at the exhibition ‘20th Century Portraits’, which opened at the Museum of Modern Art, New York.

In January 1943, she participated in the ‘Exhibition by 31 Women’ which was part of the ‘Art of This Century’ exhibition that opened at New York. The same year, she displayed her works at the ‘Mexican Artists’ exhibition in New York.

In 1944, she displayed her works in the group show exhibition titled, Gallery of Contemporary Painters’ at New York. The same year, she also held two exhibitions in Mexico, called the ‘Second Salon of the Flower’ and ‘The Child in Mexican Painting’.

In 1947, her painting ‘Self-Portrait as a Tehuana’ was displayed at the exhibition titled ‘Forty-Five Self-Portraits by Mexican Painters from the 18th to the 20th Centuries’ held at the National Institute of Fine Arts in Mexico.

In 1949, her works ‘Diego and I’ and ‘The Love Embrace of the Universe, the Earth (Mexico), Me, Diego, and Mr. X�lotl’ was displayed at the ‘Salon de la Pl�stica Mexicana’.

In 1953, her solo art exhibition was held at the Galer�a de Arte Contempor�neo, Mexico. In spite of being bedridden and ill, she attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

Major Works

Her self-portrait 'Self Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird’ is one of her seminal works. In this painting she depicted herself as a victim, wearing a necklace of thorns. This has been showcased in over 25 museums in the United States and also in countries like Australia, Canada, France, and Spain.

Her painting, ‘The Broken Column’, painted right after she underwent spine surgery, is one of her most important works and was a metaphorical depiction of the suffering. This painting is symbolic of her physical and psychological struggles.

Awards & Achievements

In 1946, she received the National Prize of Arts and Sciences, which was conferred upon her by the Ministry of Public Education.

Personal Life & Legacy

At the age of six, she was affected by polio. In 1925, she met with an accident that resulted in a severe spinal injury, broke her ribs, pelvis, dislocated her shoulder and right foot and also damaged her uterus and abdomen.

In 1929, she married Diego Rivera, a Mexican painter. However, the marriage was not a fulfilling one. She, being a bisexual, had affairs with both women and men. They eventually divorced 1939.

All her life, she suffered from health problems and underwent several operations as a result of the deadly accident she met in 1925.

In 1931, she got involved in an extra-marital affair with photographer, Nickolas Muray. Their affair went on for ten years.

Some of the people she was intimately involved with included, Isamu Noguchi and Josephine Baker.

She died at the age of 47 in Mexico due to lung failure. She had been bedridden and ill with gangrene.

In 2002, actress Salma Hayek portrayed her role in the Academy Award nominated biographical film ‘Frida’.

Trivia

This acclaimed Mexican female painter wore a uni-brow and never waxed her facial hair. All her self-portraits revealed a sprouting moustache and a thick uni-brow.

// Famous Artists & Painters

Micheline Roquebrune

Micheline Roquebrune

Micheline Roquebrune is a petite Moroccan-French painter best known as the third wife the legendary Scottish actor Sir Sean Connery. Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.

Yvonne McGuinness

Yvonne McGuinness

Yvonne McGuinness is an Irish multimedia artist. This biography profiles her childhood, family, personal life, career, etc.

Akira Toriyama

Akira Toriyama

Akira Toriyama is a Japanese manga artist. This biography profiles his childhood, family, personal life, achievements, etc.

Frida Kahlo biography timelines

  • // 6th Jul 1907
    Frida Kahlo was born in Coyoac�n, Mexico to Guillermo Kahlo, a photographer and Matilde Calder�n y Gonz�lez.
  • // 1922
    In 1922, she started attending ‘Escuela Nacional Preparatoria’, one of Mexico’s leading schools. She grew up at the time of the Mexican Revolution and witnessed many incidents of violence and armed struggle.
  • // 1924
    In 1924, she learned photography skills from her father and was taught how to use the camera and develop photographs. This experience would later help in her future endeavours.
  • // 1925
    At the age of six, she was affected by polio. In 1925, she met with an accident that resulted in a severe spinal injury, broke her ribs, pelvis, dislocated her shoulder and right foot and also damaged her uterus and abdomen.
  • // 17th Sep 1925
    On September 17, 1925, she suffered serious injuries as a result of an accident - the bus she was travelling in collided with a trolley car. She suffered severe and multiple injuries.
  • // 1926
    In 1926, while she was recovering from injuries, she experimented with panting and tried her hand at watercolours and oil paints. The following year, she recovered and became a member of the Young Communist League.
  • // 1929 To 1939
    In 1929, she married Diego Rivera, a Mexican painter. However, the marriage was not a fulfilling one. She, being a bisexual, had affairs with both women and men. They eventually divorced 1939.
  • // 1930
    In 1930, she moved to San Francisco with her husband Diego, where he had been offered a project to paint murals. She met many prominent personalities from the field of art and painted ‘Frieda and Diego Rivera’, a portrait.
  • // 1931
    In 1931, she displayed her work to the public for the first time at the ‘Sixth Annual Exhibition of the San Francisco Society of Women Artists’. Here, she displayed ‘Frieda and Diego Rivera’, a portrait of her and Diego Rivera.
  • // 1931 To 1941
    In 1931, she got involved in an extra-marital affair with photographer, Nickolas Muray. Their affair went on for ten years.
  • // May 1931
    In May 1931, she returned alone to Mexico and her husband joined her in June. In November that year, she travelled to New York with her husband via sea to attend his retrospective exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art.
  • // 1937
    In 1937, four of her paintings were showcased at the Galeria de Arte, National Autonomous University of Mexico. This was the first public exhibition of her art work in Mexico.
  • // 1938
    In 1938, she met French poet and surrealist Andre Breton, who had a look at her unfinished painting ‘What the Water Gave Me’ He labelled it as a surreal work and offered to display her art in Paris.
  • // 1938
    Later in 1938, four of her paintings were purchased by art collector and actor Edward G. Robinson, who paid $200 for each of the paintings. This was one of her noteworthy sales.
  • // Oct 1938
    In October 1938, she travelled to New York in order to showcase her first solo exhibition, which was held at the Julien Levy Gallery. She displayed twenty five of her paintings and more than half of them were sold.
  • // 1939
    In 1939, she displayed her art works at the ‘Mexique’ exhibition in Paris, which opened at the Colle Gallery. Her self-portrait ‘The Frame’ was purchased by Louvre, the largest Museum in the world.
  • // 1940
    In 1940, her paintings ‘The Two Fridas’ and ‘The Wounded Table’ were displayed at the International Surrealism Exhibition, which was held at the Gallery of Mexican Art.
  • // 1940
    Later in 1940, she travelled to San Francisco to display her work at the exhibition of ‘Contemporary Mexican Painting and Graphic Art’, which was held at the Palace of Fine Art.
  • // 1941
    In 1941, her art work was displayed at the ‘Modern Mexican Painters’ exhibition, which was held at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in Boston. The following year, she was a participant at the Seminar of Mexican Culture.
  • // 1942
    In 1942, she displayed her ‘Self-Portrait with Braid’ at the exhibition ‘20th Century Portraits’, which opened at the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
  • // Jan 1943
    In January 1943, she participated in the ‘Exhibition by 31 Women’ which was part of the ‘Art of This Century’ exhibition that opened at New York. The same year, she displayed her works at the ‘Mexican Artists’ exhibition in New York.
  • // 1944
    In 1944, she displayed her works in the group show exhibition titled, Gallery of Contemporary Painters’ at New York. The same year, she also held two exhibitions in Mexico, called the ‘Second Salon of the Flower’ and ‘The Child in Mexican Painting’.
  • // 1946
    In 1946, she received the National Prize of Arts and Sciences, which was conferred upon her by the Ministry of Public Education.
  • // 1947
    In 1947, her painting ‘Self-Portrait as a Tehuana’ was displayed at the exhibition titled ‘Forty-Five Self-Portraits by Mexican Painters from the 18th to the 20th Centuries’ held at the National Institute of Fine Arts in Mexico.
  • // 1949
    In 1949, her works ‘Diego and I’ and ‘The Love Embrace of the Universe, the Earth (Mexico), Me, Diego, and Mr. X�lotl’ was displayed at the ‘Salon de la Pl�stica Mexicana’.
  • // 1953
    In 1953, her solo art exhibition was held at the Galer�a de Arte Contempor�neo, Mexico. In spite of being bedridden and ill, she attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition.
  • // 13th Jul 1954
    She died at the age of 47 in Mexico due to lung failure. She had been bedridden and ill with gangrene.
  • // 2002
    In 2002, actress Salma Hayek portrayed her role in the Academy Award nominated biographical film ‘Frida’.

// Famous Miscellaneous

Jason Simpson

Jason Simpson

Jason Simpson is the son of former NFL running back, broadcaster and actor O. J. Simpson. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family, life, and little known facts about him.

Melissa Brim

Melissa Brim

Melissa Brim is the ex-girlfriend of former professional boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer is a Christian author and speaker. This biography provides detailed information about her childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline

Galina Becker

Galina Becker

Galina Becker is a former athlete and fitness model from America. Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.

Jacelyn Reeves

Jacelyn Reeves

Jacelyn Reeves is a former flight attendant who once had a fling with Clint Eastwood. Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.

Vasily Zaytsev

Vasily Zaytsev

Vasily Zatysev was a Russian sniper who served during the World War II. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Frida Kahlo's FAQ

  • What is Frida Kahlo birthday?

    Frida Kahlo was born at 1907-07-06

  • When was Frida Kahlo died?

    Frida Kahlo was died at 1954-07-13

  • Where was Frida Kahlo died?

    Frida Kahlo was died in Coyoacán

  • Which age was Frida Kahlo died?

    Frida Kahlo was died at age 47

  • Where is Frida Kahlo's birth place?

    Frida Kahlo was born in Coyoacán

  • What is Frida Kahlo nationalities?

    Frida Kahlo's nationalities is Mexican

  • Who is Frida Kahlo spouses?

    Frida Kahlo's spouses is Diego Rivera

  • What is Frida Kahlo's cause of dead?

    Frida Kahlo dead because of Drug Overdose

  • What is Frida Kahlo's religion?

    Frida Kahlo's religion is Roman Catholic

  • Who is Frida Kahlo's father?

    Frida Kahlo's father is Guillermo Kahlo

  • Who is Frida Kahlo's mother?

    Frida Kahlo's mother is Carl Wilhelm Kahlo

  • What is Frida Kahlo's sun sign?

    Frida Kahlo is Cancer

  • How famous is Frida Kahlo?

    Frida Kahlo is famouse as Painter