Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo Calderón was a Mexican painter, who has achieved great international popularity. She painted using vibrant colors in a style that was influenced by indigenous cultures of México as well as by European influences that include Realism, Symbolism, and Surrealism. Many of her works are self-portraits that symbolically express her own pain and sexuality.
In 1929 Kahlo married the Mexican muralist Diego Rivera. They shared political views, and he encouraged her artistic endeavors. Although she has long been recognized as an important painter, public awareness of her work has become more widespread since the 1970. Her "Blue" house in Coyoacán, México City is a museum, donated by Diego Rivera upon his death in 1957.
Having read Hayden Herrara's biography of Kahlo, I remained fascinated by the artist's life and work, but let's be honest: this book made her seem a bit unsympathetic. To me at least. I'm so glad I've stumbled upon this wonderful collection of letters and other writings, because it really changed my view of La Friducha. She was fierce and gentle at once, and most importantly: she was authentic and true to herself. It's one of the qualities I value most in a person. (How anyone could like, let alone worship someone like Diego Rivera will forever be a mystery to me, though. I could have done without her letters to/about him.)
Wunderbares Buch indem man viel über den Charakter dieser starken Frau kennenlernt. Sie lebte ihr ganzes Leben mit starken Schmerzen und trotzdem schaffte sie es leidenschaftlich das Leben auszukosten und sich buchstäblich in die Herzen von Kunstliebhabern zu malen.