11 Things You Didn’t Know About Frida Kahlo

Knowledge can be gained at any age. After having a detailed study on topics there are things unknown to us. So, we at Abirpothi present before you the lesser-known facts about artists around the world.

Frida Kahlo

“Since my subjects have always been my sensations, my states of mind, and the profound reactions that life has been producing in me, I have frequently objectified all this in figures of myself, which were the most sincere and real thing that I could do in order to express what I felt inside and outside of myself.”

Frida Kahlo

Undoubtedly the most popular Mexican artist in the world, Frida Kahlo left her mark on art history through poignant works and moving self-portraits. Frida Kahlo was born on July 6, 1907 in Coyoacan, Mexico City. Still, she often told people she was born in 1910, 3 years after her actual birth so that people would directly associate her with the Mexican Revolution that began in 1910. The original works of art by Frida Kahlo are quite expensive. Her artwork reflected her own personal hardships as not only a woman but also her acceptance of Mexican tradition and customs. Since she was actually half Mexican, a significant portion of her work dealt with reconciling her dualistic nature in a variety of areas, including her varied cultural heritage, her dual roles as artist and lover, and even her sexual urges. Frida\’s right leg had to be amputated below the knee due to a gangrene infection. She developed severe depression as a result and contemplated suicide. She made several suicide attempts and passed away on July 3, 1954. Suicide is rumored.  The last words in her diary read “I hope exit is joyful and I hope never to come back.”

11 lesser-known facts about Frida Kahlo

1. Kahlo\’s life and work have been the subject of several articles, books, and documentaries, including the best-selling Frida: The Biography of Frida Kahlo (1983) by Hayden Herrera. In 1983, the film \”Frida, Naturaleza viva\” was released and was a tremendous hit. Salma Hayek portrays Frida in the 2002 biographical film \”Frida,\” which also made over $50 million worldwide and won two Academy Awards.

   

2. Kahlo had polio as a youngster, which left her right leg paralyzed and spurred an interest in medicine\’s ability to treat illness. Sadly, the teenager\’s intentions to pursue a career in medicine had to be shelved due to the injuries she sustained in the train disaster.

   

3. Near the conclusion of her brief life, in 1953, the painter was ecstatic about having her first solo show in Mexico. However, a medical stay made her attendance in doubt. Kahlo defied doctors\’ orders and made a stunning entry by rolling up in an ambulance that looked like a limousine.
4. In 2018, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to rename Phelan Avenue to Frida Kahlo Way.

   

5. “Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird” has been showcased in over 25 museums in the United States.
6. Her self-portrait ‘Self Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird’ is one of her seminal works.

   

7. After her spine surgery, her mother made her a special easel that allowed her to paint in bed.

   

8. Following a political disagreement with Rivera, Trotsky left La Casa Azul. He was murdered in 1940, and Kahlo and her sister spent a short time in jail as suspects. She was subsequently exonerated and released after two days, despite the fact that she knew the murderer.

   

9. Because of the bright clothing she wore, she was asked by children, \”Where’s the circus?\”
10. On September 17, 1925, Frida was injured in a terrible bus accident that left her with 11 fractures in her right leg, a shattered pelvis, a broken collarbone, broken ribs, and a damaged rib cage. Her shoulder was out of joint, and she had crushed and dislocated her right foot. About 30 operations would be carried on her throughout her lifespan.

    

11. Frida Kahlo quelled her loneliness with an array of exotic animals that made their way into her paintings. Not only did she paint herself surrounded by monkeys, but she also owned numerous unusual furry friends, including spider monkeys, a fawn, an Amazon parrot, an eagle, macaws, parakeets, hens, sparrows, and a rare breed of hairless dog called a Mexican ixquintle, whose ancestry could be traced back to the Aztecs. She loved to surround herself with animals that reflected her MesoAmerican heritage.

    

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