What do you think?
Rate this book
Frida Kahlo: The Paintings
In small, stunningly rendered self–portraits, Mexican artist Frida Kahlo painted herself cracked open, hemorrhaging during a miscarriage, anesthetized on a hospital gurney, and weeping beside her own extracted heart.
Her works are so incendiary in emotion and subject matter that one art critic suggested the walls of an exhibition be covered with asbestos.
In this beautiful book, art historian Hayden Herrera brings together numerous paintings and sketches by the amazing Mexican artist, documenting each with explanatory text that probes the influences in Kahlo‘s life and their meaning for her work. Included among the illustrations are more than eighty full–color paintings, as well as dozens of black–and–white pictures and line illustrations. Among the famous and little–known works included in Frida Kahlo: The Paintings are The Two Fridas, Self–Portrait as a Tehuana, Without Hope, The Dream, The Little Deer, Diego and I, Henry Ford Hospital, My Birth, and My Nurse and I. Here, too, are documentary photographs of Frida Kahlo and her world that help to illuminate the various stages of her life.
About the Author:
Hayden Herrera is an art historian. She has lectured widely, curated several exhibitions of art, taught Latin American art at New York University, and has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship. She is the author of numerous articles and reviews for such publications as Art in America, Art Forum, Connoisseur, and the New York Times, among others. Her books include Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo; Mary Frank; and Matisse: A Portrait. She is working on a critical biography of Arshile Gorky. She lives in New York City.
Her works are so incendiary in emotion and subject matter that one art critic suggested the walls of an exhibition be covered with asbestos.
In this beautiful book, art historian Hayden Herrera brings together numerous paintings and sketches by the amazing Mexican artist, documenting each with explanatory text that probes the influences in Kahlo‘s life and their meaning for her work. Included among the illustrations are more than eighty full–color paintings, as well as dozens of black–and–white pictures and line illustrations. Among the famous and little–known works included in Frida Kahlo: The Paintings are The Two Fridas, Self–Portrait as a Tehuana, Without Hope, The Dream, The Little Deer, Diego and I, Henry Ford Hospital, My Birth, and My Nurse and I. Here, too, are documentary photographs of Frida Kahlo and her world that help to illuminate the various stages of her life.
About the Author:
Hayden Herrera is an art historian. She has lectured widely, curated several exhibitions of art, taught Latin American art at New York University, and has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship. She is the author of numerous articles and reviews for such publications as Art in America, Art Forum, Connoisseur, and the New York Times, among others. Her books include Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo; Mary Frank; and Matisse: A Portrait. She is working on a critical biography of Arshile Gorky. She lives in New York City.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
24 people are currently reading
3245 people want to read
About the author
Hayden Herrera
18 books188 followersHayden Herrera is an art historian. She has lectured widely, curated several exhibitions of art, taught Latin American art at New York University, and has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship. She is the author of numerous articles and reviews for such publications as Art in America, Art Forum, Connoisseur, and the New York Times, among others. Her books include Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo; Mary Frank; and Matisse: A Portrait. She is working on a critical biography of Arshile Gorky. She lives in New York City.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
November 1, 2019
I've always been sceptical about reading books featuring art/paintings, as with some you don't get much in the way of explanatory text to accompany the works of art. This book suffers no such problem, thankfully, and all in all, I found it simply amazing. This is about as comprehensive a book will will ever see on the work of Frida Kahlo. It was so detailed, with so many interesting facts about Kahlo that I previously didn't know. Herrera does a great job of analysing her work deeply, and goes through some the most important personal moments of her life, so the book doubles up as a bio as well. Kahlo expressed all her feelings and emotions through art, and this book is crammed full of many beautiful illustrations, including her more famous and brightly coloured self portraits, to smaller sketches and drawings.
No hesitation at all in scoring this a five.
No hesitation at all in scoring this a five.
March 27, 2022
This book blew me away. I implore each and every one of you to read it ❤️
February 20, 2020
2020 Review
New star rating: 2.5 for text, 5 for paintings and photographs
Frida Kahlo: The Paintings by Hayden Herrera is considered a companion volume to her Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo. The Paintings contains a summarized version of the text from the biography, but is accompanied by larger reproductions of Kahlo’s paintings, other drawings and photographs. If you’ve read the biography, the only reason to buy (or read) this book is to examine the paintings in more detail.
Herrera includes most of Kahlo’s well-known paintings and many of her lesser known ones. The larger color reproductions allow you to see the details of the paintings more clearly. I also liked looking at the photographs; Kahlo was an incredibly photogenic woman. Not necessarily beautiful, but her gaze is very intense and she is compelling subject. What’s objectionable about the book is Herrera’s analysis of the paintings. In almost every painting or illustration, she defines them as visual representations of Kahlo’s emotional and/or physical pain. Herrera goes too far in claiming to know what Kahlo was thinking or feeling by ascribing every brush stroke as a way for Kahlo to express her pain. Herrera does not take into account Kahlo’s political motivations/interests or her Mexican background (i.e. the history and politics of Mexico). In fact, Herrera states, “Until 1954 Frida had painted only one quasi-political painting” (215). I find this an odd statement. Based on Herrera’s own biography, she considers My Dress Hangs There and Self-Portrait on the Border Line Between Mexico and the United States to have at least some political expression. Herrera also theorizes that Kahlo was a narcissist who used her illnesses to gain sympathy and tie Diego Riveria (her philandering husband) to her side. Not only did Kahlo use her pain as a way to gain attention, but she also created illness when necessary: “Very likely she sabotaged her well-being by choosing to have unnecessary operations as a peculiar form of narcissism. Having operations was a cry for attention. Being a surgical patient could alleviate her feelings of disconnection…Each new operation brought her admiration and sympathy, and most important, the attention of Diego” (194). Herrera also analyzes almost every painting as having a very distinct and direct connection to Catholicism, a religion that Kahlo rejected as a child.
I don’t care for Herrera’s incredibly simple and limited analysis of Kahlo’s paintings as being narcissist reflections of her own pain. In this book (as opposed to her Frida Kahlo: Biography), Herrera completely disregards and does not explore any other reasons for Kahlo to paint except as a way to express her pain and troubles of being childless (which many other critics disagree with) and having a cheating husband; it’s a very sexist perspective of Kahlo’s body work as it denies Kahlo’s knowledge of the wider world and her ability to think beyond her own personal troubles. I would suggest that anyone looking to read about Kahlo’s life and her artwork not rely on this book. Herrera’s biography is much more in depth and while I do disagree with her art=artist analysis in that book as well, at least she expands on that and includes more complex analyses. I suggest Devouring Frida: The Art History and Popular Celebrity of Frida Kahlo by Margaret A. Lindauer for a more complex exploration of Kahlo’s paintings. The language can be a little difficult and scholarly, but it’s worth taking the time. I would also suggest Frida in America: The Creative Awakening of a Great Artist by Celia Stahr. The author examines in detail the years Kahlo spent in the United States with Diego Riveria while he completed his mural commissions. I wasn’t crazy about the book, but it does provide a different perspective on Kahlo, particularly the idea that she was devastated by her inability to be a mother (Stahr has convincing evidence that Kahlo had to decide between being either a painter or a mother and landed squarely on the side of being a painter).
Older Review
Absolutely love her paintings. Was lucky enough to see the Kahlo exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art a few years ago. Amazing experience.
New star rating: 2.5 for text, 5 for paintings and photographs
Frida Kahlo: The Paintings by Hayden Herrera is considered a companion volume to her Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo. The Paintings contains a summarized version of the text from the biography, but is accompanied by larger reproductions of Kahlo’s paintings, other drawings and photographs. If you’ve read the biography, the only reason to buy (or read) this book is to examine the paintings in more detail.
Herrera includes most of Kahlo’s well-known paintings and many of her lesser known ones. The larger color reproductions allow you to see the details of the paintings more clearly. I also liked looking at the photographs; Kahlo was an incredibly photogenic woman. Not necessarily beautiful, but her gaze is very intense and she is compelling subject. What’s objectionable about the book is Herrera’s analysis of the paintings. In almost every painting or illustration, she defines them as visual representations of Kahlo’s emotional and/or physical pain. Herrera goes too far in claiming to know what Kahlo was thinking or feeling by ascribing every brush stroke as a way for Kahlo to express her pain. Herrera does not take into account Kahlo’s political motivations/interests or her Mexican background (i.e. the history and politics of Mexico). In fact, Herrera states, “Until 1954 Frida had painted only one quasi-political painting” (215). I find this an odd statement. Based on Herrera’s own biography, she considers My Dress Hangs There and Self-Portrait on the Border Line Between Mexico and the United States to have at least some political expression. Herrera also theorizes that Kahlo was a narcissist who used her illnesses to gain sympathy and tie Diego Riveria (her philandering husband) to her side. Not only did Kahlo use her pain as a way to gain attention, but she also created illness when necessary: “Very likely she sabotaged her well-being by choosing to have unnecessary operations as a peculiar form of narcissism. Having operations was a cry for attention. Being a surgical patient could alleviate her feelings of disconnection…Each new operation brought her admiration and sympathy, and most important, the attention of Diego” (194). Herrera also analyzes almost every painting as having a very distinct and direct connection to Catholicism, a religion that Kahlo rejected as a child.
I don’t care for Herrera’s incredibly simple and limited analysis of Kahlo’s paintings as being narcissist reflections of her own pain. In this book (as opposed to her Frida Kahlo: Biography), Herrera completely disregards and does not explore any other reasons for Kahlo to paint except as a way to express her pain and troubles of being childless (which many other critics disagree with) and having a cheating husband; it’s a very sexist perspective of Kahlo’s body work as it denies Kahlo’s knowledge of the wider world and her ability to think beyond her own personal troubles. I would suggest that anyone looking to read about Kahlo’s life and her artwork not rely on this book. Herrera’s biography is much more in depth and while I do disagree with her art=artist analysis in that book as well, at least she expands on that and includes more complex analyses. I suggest Devouring Frida: The Art History and Popular Celebrity of Frida Kahlo by Margaret A. Lindauer for a more complex exploration of Kahlo’s paintings. The language can be a little difficult and scholarly, but it’s worth taking the time. I would also suggest Frida in America: The Creative Awakening of a Great Artist by Celia Stahr. The author examines in detail the years Kahlo spent in the United States with Diego Riveria while he completed his mural commissions. I wasn’t crazy about the book, but it does provide a different perspective on Kahlo, particularly the idea that she was devastated by her inability to be a mother (Stahr has convincing evidence that Kahlo had to decide between being either a painter or a mother and landed squarely on the side of being a painter).
Older Review
Absolutely love her paintings. Was lucky enough to see the Kahlo exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art a few years ago. Amazing experience.
August 7, 2019
Painfully raw and beautiful. To capture the depth of of one’s authentic feeling and color vivid the emotions upon canvas is fearlessness at it’s finest...
May 30, 2014
Fascinating look at the preeminent artist of Mexico. At first glance her work appears ugly. An in depth look and analysis reveals an astounding work. Shocking and dramatic. No one ever put a woman's pain and suffering to canvas like Frida.
July 16, 2019
I read this text for a post-graduate course, which is part of an Art History certification program. I was familiar with the major works she created, and the major events in her life, but this text delves deep into the details Frida Kahlo's life. It includes tons of photographs of Frida from her childhood through out her final days, and so many of her paintings. I had no idea she created as many works as she did.
I think what I liked most about this text is how thoroughly the author interprets her paintings. Tons of her works are featured, and many are highlighted and analyzed, both her most famous and some not-so-famous works. The author speaks in detail about what was going on in Frida's life when she created each piece, and speaks of the specific symbolism of each work, from the arrangement of objects, to the colors used, to the objects themselves.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone remotely interested in learning more about Frida Kahlo's life. It's an easy, but informative read. I didn't find it to be repetitive or boring, in fact it's sparked a drive in me to find out even more about her life and works.
I think what I liked most about this text is how thoroughly the author interprets her paintings. Tons of her works are featured, and many are highlighted and analyzed, both her most famous and some not-so-famous works. The author speaks in detail about what was going on in Frida's life when she created each piece, and speaks of the specific symbolism of each work, from the arrangement of objects, to the colors used, to the objects themselves.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone remotely interested in learning more about Frida Kahlo's life. It's an easy, but informative read. I didn't find it to be repetitive or boring, in fact it's sparked a drive in me to find out even more about her life and works.
January 28, 2022
Loved it!! Will definitely read similar works by this artist. It’s an amazing journey into the life of Frida and the symbolism with her works
August 14, 2020
I was utterly transfixed by the haunting, intense art and life of Frida Kahlo rendered in this accessible and beautifully illustrated biography.
October 26, 2016
I've been reading this book a few pages at a time over the past couple of months, which proved an ideal way to enjoy Herrera's insightful journey through Kahlo's extraordinary art and how central it was to her very existence.
I've been a huge fan of Kahlo since watching the movie Frida for the first time in about 2003, and seeing a superb exhibition of her work at the Tate Modern a couple of years later. The film, based on Herrera's biography published in 1983, brought Kahlo to the world stage, and the Tate show -- the first major exhibition of her art for twenty years or more -- cemented her reputation and prompted a reissue of Frida Kahlo: The Paintings.
There is no greater expert on Kahlo than Herrera, and she does a wonderful job here of chronologically walking the reader through the life, loves, influences, politics and tragic moments of Kahlo's eventful life to provide a context and understanding of her paintings, well over a hundred of which are reproduced in the book.
Everything about Frida Kahlo: The Paintings is splendid. The writing is focussed and penetrating, the reproduction quality is excellent, the layout is highly readable, and the notes, bibliography and index very convenient for the reader. I wish all such books could be as pleasurable and illuminating to read as this tribute to an artist whose life and work were full of originality and magnetism.
I've been a huge fan of Kahlo since watching the movie Frida for the first time in about 2003, and seeing a superb exhibition of her work at the Tate Modern a couple of years later. The film, based on Herrera's biography published in 1983, brought Kahlo to the world stage, and the Tate show -- the first major exhibition of her art for twenty years or more -- cemented her reputation and prompted a reissue of Frida Kahlo: The Paintings.
There is no greater expert on Kahlo than Herrera, and she does a wonderful job here of chronologically walking the reader through the life, loves, influences, politics and tragic moments of Kahlo's eventful life to provide a context and understanding of her paintings, well over a hundred of which are reproduced in the book.
Everything about Frida Kahlo: The Paintings is splendid. The writing is focussed and penetrating, the reproduction quality is excellent, the layout is highly readable, and the notes, bibliography and index very convenient for the reader. I wish all such books could be as pleasurable and illuminating to read as this tribute to an artist whose life and work were full of originality and magnetism.
June 15, 2021
This book filled the yearning I had after reading Ms. Herrera's Frida biography, which was for better prints of the artist's work and more of them. I'm actually on my second go round with this book. In addition to the works of which most Frida fans are familiar, I really enjoyed the sketches, studies for and illustrated notes that further flesh out this magnetic, talented and iconic artist. I don't have much experience studying art or being guided by an art historian as to what to look at but this work really expanded my understanding and fostered more interest in Frida Kahlo. A wonderful reference book to have around.
May 15, 2024
The illustrations and narrative are both lovely. I thought I knew everything I needed to about this fascinating woman and her life. I learned much more and I can appreciate her paintings with more insight. I originally bought this to give as a birthday present for a 13 year old. It is not appropriate for a sheltered 13 year old. So I kept if for myself. I keep it out on a book table where I can look at it from time to time.
September 24, 2008
Each time I look at this book, year after year, I feel like I did that first day. I recognize her indomitable spirit—this incredible will, not only to survive but also to look with an unflinching eye. Her art redeems suffering as an ecstatic experience.
And we mentally shake hands. As I turn the pages, I see her leaping over the grave where she refuses to rest.
And we mentally shake hands. As I turn the pages, I see her leaping over the grave where she refuses to rest.
July 13, 2009
Read it many years ago but I remember deeply enjoying it. It inspired me to go on a literary Frida bio rampage. I would read it again.
April 26, 2016
I read this in tandem with Frida: A Biography as it has better and more reproductions and photographs. Reading it alone would still provide a good overview of Frida's life and art.
December 18, 2018
I have wanted to learn about Frida Kahlo for some time and this beautiful book was the perfect way to go about that. Filled with her artwork and photographs and accompanied by her biography, commentary, interpretations of her paintings and sketches, this brought it all.
I was struck by how such amazing art and beauty could come from a woman who experienced such incredible pain, suffering, and horrible physical issues. It started with a tragic accident when she was young and terribly injured and left for dead. Her entire life was a series of surgeries and pain, an amputation, depression, and marital problems. Married to the great Diego Rivera, theirs was a close relationship but filled with passion, drama, and sadness.
Frida Kahlo used her art to portray her thoughts, feelings, and unhappiness and she was quite unique and brilliant. She claimed not to be a Surrealist, never even knowing what that was initially, but her style is reminiscent of Dali and Picasso, some El Greco and Gaugin as well. She painted what she saw and felt in her mind's eye and it was quite interesting but a lot of it was quite disturbing with gory, graphic images.
I was struck by how such amazing art and beauty could come from a woman who experienced such incredible pain, suffering, and horrible physical issues. It started with a tragic accident when she was young and terribly injured and left for dead. Her entire life was a series of surgeries and pain, an amputation, depression, and marital problems. Married to the great Diego Rivera, theirs was a close relationship but filled with passion, drama, and sadness.
Frida Kahlo used her art to portray her thoughts, feelings, and unhappiness and she was quite unique and brilliant. She claimed not to be a Surrealist, never even knowing what that was initially, but her style is reminiscent of Dali and Picasso, some El Greco and Gaugin as well. She painted what she saw and felt in her mind's eye and it was quite interesting but a lot of it was quite disturbing with gory, graphic images.
January 22, 2023
“I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best.”
Part biography, part art history, Frida Kahlo “The Paintings” by Hayden Herrera is a comprehensive collection of Frida’s paintings. The book offers a chronological order of Frieda’s life, loves, influences, politics, and tragic moments while giving readers a detailed context and understanding of her paintings. The paintings reproduction quality is excellent, and Frida’s most radical work is displayed; the perfect coffee table book.
Part biography, part art history, Frida Kahlo “The Paintings” by Hayden Herrera is a comprehensive collection of Frida’s paintings. The book offers a chronological order of Frieda’s life, loves, influences, politics, and tragic moments while giving readers a detailed context and understanding of her paintings. The paintings reproduction quality is excellent, and Frida’s most radical work is displayed; the perfect coffee table book.
February 17, 2019
Beautiful and approachable yet rigorous writing on the life and art of Frida Kahlo. The interpretations of her art are insightful and exciting. I purchased this text at the Brooklyn Museum’s “Frida Kahlo: Appearances Can Be Deceiving” exhibit (2019) and I’m grateful I did because Kahlo’s most radical works are on view in this book. I’m inspired to read more biographies on Kahlo now; thank you Herrera for the scholarship on this brilliant woman.
June 21, 2022
Rich description of Frida's life, and all the dramatic and difficult things she went through. The connection of events to her pieces of art and their analysis was spot on. In particular, her relationship with Diego was really fascinating and more in depth than I had read before. I learned a lot, and it was an added bonus to see so many of her works in full color, though I wish that all the images were full page size, full color.
September 22, 2023
Yes, "Frida Kahlo: The Paintings" by Hayden Herrera is a fantastic book that delves into Frida Kahlo's remarkable artwork. It provides a comprehensive collection of her paintings, along with insightful commentary and analysis. It's a must-read for anyone who wants to explore Kahlo's artistic journey and the emotions expressed in her captivating works. Enjoy diving into the vibrant world of Frida Kahlo's paintings! 🎨📚
August 10, 2019
I saw the movie but never really looked at her paintings. Was in a library, read this book in one sitting. Much better understanding of her life, the context in which she painted, and her amazing artwork. Really out there, especially for the times. I'm not an artist, but I really appreciated this book.
April 30, 2023
I wanted to learn about Frida and understand what turned her into the popular cult figure today… I feel like I still don’t really know. The book didn’t really commit fully to either being a bio or an analysis of her art. Very subjective personal interpretations are given regarding her paintings from the author that didn’t do much for me.
May 3, 2023
3.8 stars
I enjoy books discussing art that have colour plates - very helpful to have them on hand to examine the styles.
This was a solid overview of Frida Khalo’a life and artistic works. I found it achieved a good blend of discussing Frida, her artistic influences, personality via extracts from letters, and political motivations.
I enjoy books discussing art that have colour plates - very helpful to have them on hand to examine the styles.
This was a solid overview of Frida Khalo’a life and artistic works. I found it achieved a good blend of discussing Frida, her artistic influences, personality via extracts from letters, and political motivations.
January 19, 2024
I actually had to read this book for an art history course on Frida Kahlo. I liked it because it was easy to read and actually gave me a lot of information about her and her life that I did not know. I definitely have even more respect for her now as an artist and would love to see the Blue House where she lived one day.
September 12, 2018
Indispensable guide to Frida Kahlo's biography and art. While I think Herrera misjudges Kahlo's intentions, especially around gender performance and pregnancy, his research is enlightening and the book is a fascinating read from cover to cover.
February 28, 2023
This book dissects the paintings of Frida Kahlo from her very beginning to her end. The author deepened my understanding of her so much that towards the end of the book, I felt the pain and sadness that she was so good at communicating in her art.
June 14, 2018
I'm not sure why, but I never tire of learning about Frida Kahlo.
June 25, 2019
This was the best of the Frida Khalo books I have read. I felt like I got an in-depth insight into who she was as well as more photos with this book than with others.
July 7, 2019
A moving biography that unfolds the life and work of Friday Kahlo by deeply examining her art.
July 25, 2019
Brilliant
November 27, 2021
Loved it so much bought my own copy :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews