Frida Kahlo was one of the most important artists ever to emerge from Latin America. Born in Mexico in 1907, her life was a combination of tragedy, romance, pain and a luminous artistic talent.
This book tells the compelling story of her life and work, from her early life as the daughter of a German émigré to her premature death in 1954. She suffered great pain, which was often debilitating, as a result of a serious traffic accident at the age of eighteen. Her father encouraged her interest in art and she showed promise as an artist. Her meeting with the prominent Mexican painter Diego Rivera at a party initiated a lifelong and turbulent love affair. They married a year later and remained together until Frida's death, despite many infidelities on both sides, and a year-long split in 1939/40.
The dichotomy between the work, and indeed the personalities, of the two is a fascinating study of the old adage that 'opposites attract'. The tale of how the couple, both committed communists, gave shelter to Leon Trotsky during his exile from the Soviet Union adds to the intrigue.
Her work is remarkable in its blend of modernity and traditionalism. Frida was very proud of her indigenous Mexican roots and this showed in much of her work. She was in many ways the archetypal tortured soul; this too is revealed in many of her paintings.
Frida has been feted and recognised as an outstanding talent since her death.