What do you think?
Rate this book
Frida Kahlo
Few artists have captured the public's imagination with the force of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. During her lifetime, she was best known as the flamboyant wife of celebrated muralist Diego Rivera. Theirs was a tumultuous relationship: Rivera declared himself to be "unfit for fidelity." As if to assuage her pain, Kahlo recorded the vicissitudes of her marriage in paint. She also recorded the misery of her deteriorating health--the orthopedic corsets that she was forced to wear, the numerous spinal surgeries, the miscarriages and therapeutic abortions. The artist's sometimes harrowing imagery is mitigated by an intentional primitivism and small scale, as well as by her sardonic humor and extraordinary imagination.
In celebration of the one-hundredth anniversary of Kahlo's birth, this major new monograph is published on the occasion of the 2007-08 traveling exhibition. It features the artist's most renowned work--the hauntingly seductive and often brutal self-portraits--as well as a selection of key portraits and still lifes; more than 100 color plates, from Kahlo's earliest works, made in 1926, to her last, in 1954; critical essays by Elizabeth Carpenter, Hayden Herrera and Victor Zamudio-Taylor; and a selection of photographs of Kahlo and Rivera by preeminent photographers of the period, including Manuel Alvarez Bravo, Lola Alvarez Bravo, Gisele Freund, Tina Modotti and Nickolas Muray. The catalogue also contains snapshots from the artist's own photo albums of Kahlo with family and friends such as Andre Breton and Leon Trotsky--some of which have never been published, and several of which Kahlo inscribed with dedications, effaced with self-deprecating marks or kissed with a lipstick trace--plus an extensive illustrated timeline, selected bibliography, exhibition history and index.
In celebration of the one-hundredth anniversary of Kahlo's birth, this major new monograph is published on the occasion of the 2007-08 traveling exhibition. It features the artist's most renowned work--the hauntingly seductive and often brutal self-portraits--as well as a selection of key portraits and still lifes; more than 100 color plates, from Kahlo's earliest works, made in 1926, to her last, in 1954; critical essays by Elizabeth Carpenter, Hayden Herrera and Victor Zamudio-Taylor; and a selection of photographs of Kahlo and Rivera by preeminent photographers of the period, including Manuel Alvarez Bravo, Lola Alvarez Bravo, Gisele Freund, Tina Modotti and Nickolas Muray. The catalogue also contains snapshots from the artist's own photo albums of Kahlo with family and friends such as Andre Breton and Leon Trotsky--some of which have never been published, and several of which Kahlo inscribed with dedications, effaced with self-deprecating marks or kissed with a lipstick trace--plus an extensive illustrated timeline, selected bibliography, exhibition history and index.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2007
4 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 19, 2008
I’d never enjoyed Frida Kahlo’s painting style until I saw the movie Frida. Then, I could see how her artwork reflected her life and I was able to appreciate all of her art, even though it’s not all easy to view. Her life was so incredibly full of pain and her art shows it, but I find it admirable that she was able to create the art at all. I looked forward to this art exhibition.
This is an excellent book that’s the exhibition catalog, and unlike some exhibition catalogs it is comprehensive. In fact, it’s a fine art book in its own right. It’s a gorgeous book. The paintings are shown in a spectacular manner. There are extremely interesting personal photographs. There’s much information about her life, which really does fully explain her art, and an interesting timeline that shows both world events and Kahlo’s biographical events. I was already interested in the subject and had seen the museum exhibit when I read this, but I think this book could have wide appeal among those interested in art history. It works as a good introduction to Frida Kahlo and her work.
This is an excellent book that’s the exhibition catalog, and unlike some exhibition catalogs it is comprehensive. In fact, it’s a fine art book in its own right. It’s a gorgeous book. The paintings are shown in a spectacular manner. There are extremely interesting personal photographs. There’s much information about her life, which really does fully explain her art, and an interesting timeline that shows both world events and Kahlo’s biographical events. I was already interested in the subject and had seen the museum exhibit when I read this, but I think this book could have wide appeal among those interested in art history. It works as a good introduction to Frida Kahlo and her work.
June 9, 2016
Not the first biography of Kahlo I have read - it does confirm that the first book was not exaggerating about her physical torment. The story of her life and great suffering somehow loses the reader's sympathy; one's ability to care becomes severely stretched. A major drawback with this book is that it prescribes how I, the reader, am to interpret her work, as if I cannot do that for myself.
January 18, 2026
2025 Reading Challenge - A book centering LGBTQ+ characters that isn't about coming out
January 21, 2011
After reading Kingsolver's Lacuna, I wanted to go back and learn more about Frida. I watched the movie again and picked up the book. The book was captivating by the sheer tragedy of her life, but her love and energy that comes thru it all. She is a fascinating woman.
Like many, I historically found her art bizarre and hard to look at, but now knowing the context behind it, it is fascinating, painful at times and incredibly introspective (although, still not always easy to look at).
I would have given this book more stars, but there were times at which the author, an art student and critic understandably provided her own analyses and interpretation of the art. Not only did this not really "entertain" me, I didn't always agree with the interpretation. This does not make the author wrong, she did her job, I just wouldn't pick up a art critic book, this one drew me in by the amazing story behind it.
Like many, I historically found her art bizarre and hard to look at, but now knowing the context behind it, it is fascinating, painful at times and incredibly introspective (although, still not always easy to look at).
I would have given this book more stars, but there were times at which the author, an art student and critic understandably provided her own analyses and interpretation of the art. Not only did this not really "entertain" me, I didn't always agree with the interpretation. This does not make the author wrong, she did her job, I just wouldn't pick up a art critic book, this one drew me in by the amazing story behind it.
May 6, 2008
The reproductions are gorgeous. The photographs are great. The essays are a little dry.
August 25, 2008
I just went to the exhibit in San Francisco and it was pretty spectacular. The book does a really great job of introducing her to the novice (like me). I especially liked the timeline of her life.
January 15, 2011
Absolutely LOVED this book...great insight into the life of and pain of this artist and how her very personal work reflects her gift, courage and determination to be her own person.
April 15, 2016
I am just a fan and her paintings are wonderful. To see her pain and her life in her paintings. Just great.
December 13, 2017
This book was very informative about Frida Kahlo. I enjoyed the selection of art that was included.
Want to read
November 16, 2008saw the exhibit at the sfmoma in july 08. my mother bought me the book....
December 18, 2010
Great book of her artwork.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews