FRIDA KAHLO
1907-1954
Frida Kahlo is one of Mexico's most famous artists. Well
known for her self portraits emphasizing her inner struggles,
Frida Kahlo was born on July 6, 1907.
At the age of six, Frida contracted polio. Although she recovered from the disease, it
left her right leg obviously thinner than her left. Later in life Frida would wear long
skirts to cover the deformity.
On September 17, 1925, Kahlo was involved in a serious bus accident and suffered
several injuries. While in recovery, Kahlo began painting full time in order to focus
her attention away from her pain. She began painting self portraits due to the
solitary state of her recovery and constant immobilization.
Kahlo admired and respected local muralist Diego Rivera and solicited advice on art.
They fell in love as a result of their correspondence and married in 1929 to the
disapproval of Kahlo's mother.
Kahlo and Rivera travelled to the United States for exhibitions of her work in Detroit,
New York, and later in Paris. The couple eventually returned to Mexico to settle down
and continue painting. Shortly before her death her art was exhibited in Mexico City.
The doctor told her not to leave her bed, so she had the bed, with her in it, delivered
to the exhibition.
Frida Kahlo died from a pulmonary embolism on July 13, 1954. During her life Kahlo
painted 143 paintings, including fifty-five self portraits. Her works are well known for
their symbolic realism and her ability to incorporate traditional Mexican styles into
her work.
DIEGO RIVERA
1886-1957
Diego Rivera and his twin brother, Carlos, were born December 8, 1886 in the
mountains of Mexico. Rivera’s parents helped poor people live better lives. This
helped shaped the way Rivera painted.
Rivera began to draw when he was only three years old. He drew
on everything: floors, furniture, walls, and paper. He loved to
draw huge pictures on walls (murals) so his parents covered his
bedroom walls with paper.
Rivera studied art at the San Carlos School of Fine Arts where he
learned about the art of the Mexican Indians. He loved their
paintings of people at work and Rivera began painting similar
subjects. Rivera also learned from a teacher who enjoyed
painting the differences between rich people and poor people.
Rivera became famous for his large frescoes. He liked creating
art that would be seen by many people; murals were the perfect form. He painted 27
murals for the Detroit Institute of Arts. He also painted murals in New York City, San
Francisco, and Mexico.
In 1955 Rivera fell ill with cancer. He
died November 8, 1957 of hear failure;
he was 71.