Frida Kahlo's Influence on My Art

Pamela Carvajal Drapala

Summer 2009May 30, 2009

Essay for Class, Mexican Culture and Arts, Summer 2009

Frida Kahlo worked at a time in Mexico’s history when women artists were not well-known or accomplished. Because of her tenacity, courage, and steadfastness, she demonstrated that she could be an artist in her own right. Frida Kahlo paved the way for many other female artists, and now more women artists have been successful. Frida Kahlo's accomplishments as an artist were historically significant for this breakthrough for women.

Frida Kahlo was born in 1907 to Matilde and Guillermo Kahlo in Coyoac’an then later moved to Mexico City. As a child of six, she caught the polio virus and her father became her primary caretaker during this time. Her right leg and foot were stunted by the virus and never recovered completely. Later in life, she would be given the name of “Peg-leg Frida” by her playmates which she detested. Yet, later as a painter, she named one of her paintings that name. As an adult, she would hide behind her long Mexican skirts to conceal her disability from many people.

After attending her primary education at the Colegio Alema’n, a Mexican German school in 1922, she took her studies at the Escuela Nacional Preparatoria where she desired to study natural sciences and ultimately sought to be a physician. She studied many books on many subjects and also studied works of art. In 1923, Adolfo Best Maugard’s “Self-portrait”, dated 1923 had a major impact on Frida. Later, she would include his style in her own self-portrait of 1929. In addition, she took a class in anatomy which would become a useful tool during in the future when she painted portraits.

In 1925, while on her way to school with her boyfriend, Alejandro Gomez Arias, they were involved in a monstrous vehicle accident. Their bus collided with a tram and several people were killed at the corner of Cuahutemozin and Calzada de Tlalpan. Later, in 1926, Frida would draw a small sketch to interpret the day that would ever change her life. Frida suffered many injuries during that accident that included being impaled with a metal rod that pierced through her uterus. Because of this, she would never be able to bring a full-term baby into the world. This event impacted her paintings tremendously during her child bearing years. Frida’s paintings that demonstrate that period of time are: “Henry Ford Hospital or The Flying Bed”, 1932 and “My Birth or Birth”, 1932.

While Frida was recuperating from the accident, her parents prayed and gave thanks to Our Lady of Sorrows for saving Frida’s life. The accident kept Frida confined to her bed for three months, and she started to suffer frequent agonizing pain in her spine continuously. Little did she know that the injury would continue to cause her pain for the rest of her life, and her pain would influence the subject matter of her paintings during her lifetime. Frida’s paintings would not only be considered as extremely realistic, but is unbearable for some people to view even today. Doctors would find, through x-rays, that many of her vertebrae were relocated; therefore, she would have to endure many plaster corsets throughout her recovery.

Frida sometimes had to remain immobile in bed which caused her to be bored for hours. During that time is when she found great comfort in the box of oil paints, paintbrushes, and a palette that her father had kept in his photograph studio. After using the paints and brushes while recuperating, she came to the conclusion that she might have to change her desire to be a physician to becoming a professional artist. “Ever since I was a little girl, as the saying goes, I’d had my eye on that box of paints. I couldn’t explain why. Being confined to bed for so long, I finally took the opportunity to ask my father for it.”

Consequently, like other individuals who have had insight about their life’s destiny, so did Frida Kahlo.Her mother asked a woodworker to create an easel for Frida that would attach to her single bed. As Frida’s body improved somewhat, she painted her family; “My Grandparents, My Parents, and I” dated 1936. Before long, Frida was painting many portraits that would become true Mexican masterpieces. Like it is said, do what you know and understand. There is where you will find your success, and that is exactly what Frida did.

As Frida painted, she painted people and objects that were familiar to her, belongings that she understood, and took comfort in such items as her doll, her pets, and a child’s image. Later, she focused on half-bodied portraits that had symbolic meaning that were images of her own life story, such as her self-portrait, “Self-portrait in a Velvet Dress, 1926, “Time flies”, 1929, Self-portrait, 1930, and later “Self-portrait with Necklace of Thorns”, 1940. Frida other first paintings included, “Portrait of Ruth Quintanilla” 1927, “Chong Lee, Mike, older brother, don’t forget Cachucha No. 9”. She painted the portrait of Miguel N. Lira in 1927. Other additional works of art were created during this time by Frida; yet, many were destroyed by Frida or simply went missing.

Eventually, Frida needed to have a qualified artist evaluate her art work; therefore, she contacted an artist that was working in the area. Diego Rivera, was the well-known controversial muralist she went to see. Diego believed that her art had promise and that is all Frida needed to hear from him. From there, she decided this is what she wanted to do, make a living as an artist. Little did she know, before long, Diego Rivera would become a much bigger part of her life, not only influencing her art but also influencing her political views.

Meanwhile, Frida’s relationship with Diego grew closer and closer each day. The couple was soon married in 1929 when Frida was 22 years old and Diego was 42 years old. Diego was 21 years older than Frida. Diego called attention to the art world from his point of view with all its artists, politics, and glamour. Frida observed it and digested it. Later their marriage became a tumultuous because Diego bad habits had already been put in motion which included having affairs with many women including the models that he painted. In time, Frida demanded that he stop; however, that was like asking a rabbit not to hop . . . impossible!

Most importantly Diego Rivera saw Frida as his equal as an artist. In the 1950s, Diego would acknowledge Frida’s gift as a painter . . . “the first woman in the history of art to treat, with absolute and uncompromising honesty, one might even say with impassive cruelty, those general and specific themes which exclusively affect women.” Diego’s recognition of Frida’s work showed others that he had given his “seal of approval” which was a triumphant accomplishment for her.

As Diego’s infidelities continued, Frida continued to paint and gained overwhelming recognition throughout the world, displaying her paintings in other countries such as America and France. To her surprise, the American actor, Edward G. Robinson purchased four portraits at two hundred dollars each. “For me it was such a surprise that I marveled and said . . . “This way I am going to be able to be free, I’ll be able to travel and do what I want without asking Diego for money.”

Mr. A. Conger Goodyear, once president of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City was extremely energized by Frida’s painting “Fulang Chang and I”. He commissioned Frida to do a similar work since “Fulang Chang and I” had already been taken. Finally, the world was giving
Frida the acknowledgement that she deserved.

Clare Bothe Luce, the “Vanity Fair” fashion magazine publisher, commissioned Frida to paint her friend, Dorothy Hale, who had recently committed suicide in October 1938. Dorothy had taken her life because she feared that she would die penniless. The picture that Frida painted, “The Suicide of Dorothy Hale”, now part of the permanent collection at the Phoenix Art Museum, was rejected by the requestor and almost ruined because it was appalling. Ms. Luce became physically ill when she viewed it for the first time. “I will always remember the shock I had when I pulled the painting out of the crate. I felt physically sick. . . “

In 1939, Frida’s works of art appeared with other Mexican works of arts from the 18th and 19th century. This exhibit included photographs from Manuel Alvarez Bravo, the pre-Columbian sculptures by Diego Rivera collection, and other folk-art items.

J. Lamba’s feelings were that the French were too nationalistic to be even interested in works by a woman foreigner, and felt that “Women were still undervalued. It was very hard to be a woman painter.” None the less, Frida received good reviews from the magazine “La Fleche”.

The Self-portrait, “The Frame” became the first 20th century female Mexican art work to be purchased by the Louvre. Later, Frida’s color photograph graced the cover of Vogue Magazine which again conveyed to Frida that her efforts were finally paying off.

It was 1939, and Diego had asked Frida for a divorce; Frida threw herself into her work like never before and painted one of her most magnificent painting, “The Two Fridas” 1939. She communicated all her feelings onto the huge life-sized canvas not in words, but in multi-colored bold paint. Never ceasing, not even when she was ill, Frida had evolved into a true genius in her own right. No one could deny that she had finally become the artist that she always desired to be, and she accomplished her heart’s desire by pouring her life blood upon the naked canvas with passion and energy beyond what other women artist’s had done in the past. Frida had communicated her life through her paintings like no woman had done before. Frida had achieved all this even though there were obstacles in her life path. By her work, little did she know that she would open the door for many women artist in the century to come. Diego eventually asked
Frida to remarry him because he felt that the separation “ . . . was having a bad effect on both of us.” Frida agreed to remarry him, but requested that she would pay for half of the living expenses and that their marriage would be a sexless one. Thus, they remarried again on Diego’s birthday, in San Francisco, on December 8, 1940.

Frida continued to paint until she could no longer do so. Listed below are names of many of her art works from the 1940s:

• Me and My Parrots, 1941• Self-portrait with Monkeys, 1943• Flower of Life, 1943• Self-portrait, Diego in my Thoughts or Thinking of Diego, 1943• The Broken Column, 1944• Without Hope, 1945• Landscape, 1946/7• Tree of Hope, Keep Firm, 1946• The Wounded Deer or The Little Deer or I am a Poor Little Deer, 1946• Moses or Nucleus of Creation, 1945• Sun and Life, 1947

Frida was now a different person. “Frida Kahlo had gained self-confidence and financial and sexual independence, and was a recognized artist.” Diego remained Frida’s companion until

Frida became sick and died from pneumonia between July 12 and 13, 1954. The physicians revealed that she had died from a pulmonary embolism.

Today, Frida Kahlo paintings are considered to be most recognized works of art by a female painter. Frida is recognized along with other female artists around the world such as; Georgia O’Keefe, Mary Cassatt.

Because of Frida Kahlo’s art work, other female artists including myself have strived to be a better artist in my own right. It is as if she is my muse. In 2002, I first saw my first Frida article in a woman’s magazine; the article was most intriguing. I hungered for more information on this artist. As I read, I learned about the famous Hispanic Female Artist who was part Hungarian Jew and part Spanish. I am also part Jew and Mexican descent. It became an obsession that I read everything about her I possibly could find because I found her life so fascinating and informative. Before long, I was painting as I never painted before. Then, remarkably within a few years, I sold my “The Farm Worker Series” to a local businessman in the Yuma area. The nine portrait paintings sold for a total of $21,000. Therefore, it is my belief that I will have not been able to do it without knowing about Frida’s life as an artist.

Frida’s work was not widely known until years later after her death. However, after the Mexican movement known at Neomexicanismo began, she became important. Two movies have brought her life to the screen, and on June 1, 2001, Frida became the first Hispanic woman to be honored with a U. S. postage stamp. In 2006, Frida’s painting “Roots”, 1943, was auctioned off at $5.6 million dollars. It set a record for a Latin American painting.

In conclusion, Frida lived in a time in history when women artist were not recognized. She was strong, brave, and dedicated her time to her art. Because of Frida, she forged the way for many success female artists in the future. Frida liberated the art movement for all women artists including me.

Bibliography

Frida Kahlo 1907 - 1954; Pain and Passion Kettenmann, Andrea. Frida Kahlo 1907 - 1954; Pain and Passion. Germany: Benedikt Taschen, 1993.

Diego Rivera, 1886 - 1957: A Revolutionary Spirit in Modern Art Kettenmann, Andrea. Diego Rivera, 1886 - 1957: A Revolutionary Spirit in Modern Art. Germany: Benedikt Taschen, 2003.

The Life of Frida KahloMoffat, Charles. "The Life of Frida Kahlo". Art History Archive. May 15, 2009 <http://www.arthistoryarchive.com/arthistory/surrealism/Frida-Kahlo.html>.

Artists in 60 Seconds: Frida KahloEsaak, Shelley. "Artists in 60 Seconds: Frida Kahlo". May 15, 2009 <http://arthistory.about.com/cs/nameskk/p/kahlo.htm> .

The Trouble with Frida Kahlo Mencimer, Stephanie. "The Trouble with Frida Kahlo". May 15, 2009 <http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2001/0206.mencimer.html>

Citation Page

Books:

Frida Kahlo 1907 - 1954; Pain and Passion Kettenmann, Andrea. Frida Kahlo 1907 - 1954; Pain and Passion. Germany: Benedikt Taschen, 1993.

Diego Rivera, 1886 - 1957: A Revolutionary Spirit in Modern Art Kettenmann, Andrea. Diego Rivera, 1886 - 1957: A Revolutionary Spirit in Modern Art. Germany: Benedikt Taschen, 2003.

Websites on the Internet:The Life of Frida KahloMoffat, Charles. "The Life of Frida Kahlo". Art History Archive. May 15, 2009 <http://www.arthistoryarchive.com/arthistory/surrealism/Frida-Kahlo.html>.

Artists in 60 Seconds: Frida KahloEsaak, Shelley. "Artists in 60 Seconds: Frida Kahlo". May 15, 2009 <http://arthistory.about.com/cs/nameskk/p/kahlo.htm> .

The Trouble with Frida Kahlo Mencimer, Stephanie. "The Trouble with Frida Kahlo". May 15,2009<http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2001/0206.mencimer.html>
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Poem - Simple Love Those Shoes (Copyright 2007)

Posted April 22, 2007
Simply Love Those Shoes ©
By Pam Carvajal Drapala

Ladies shoes are simply the best.
We love them more than the rest.
Patent, suede, velvet, or cotton,
Shoes are a necessity.
We wear them often.
Leopard, black, white, and brown;
We kept all those shoes around.
Accessories that are most enhancing;
aren’t they simply wonderful for dancing?
Loafers, platforms, tennis shoes, too
Men don’t understand nor have a clue
Shoes are forgiving of your dress size
However, purchasing shoes, that fit is wise
Ladies continue to buy those shoes out there
They positively add to style and flair
Shoes, shoes, shoes, it’s a love affair

Buy a ten thousand ladies, if you dare