Frida Kahlo

Book excerpt: A rich overview of the fascinating life and career of internationally renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (1907-1954), this volume features the artist’s complex and diverse paintings, a series of thoughtful essays about her and her oeuvre, and a detailed illustrated chronology. As a woman artist who confronted many taboo subjects—and herself—head-on, Kahlo produced groundbreaking work that shifted the terrain of the art world. In these pages, new high-resolution photographs present the most accurate reproductions ever of her visionary artworks, including many ravishing details. That astounding fidelity and the detailed analysis of the artist’s life and process combine to make this a must-have book for Kahlo’s legions of fans worldwide. Readable and illuminating, Frida Kahlo is illustrated with rarely seen paintings from private collections alongside iconic favorites, including many of Kahlo’s striking self-portraits and her sensual still lifes. Archival and personal photographs, insightful descriptions of her works, and numerous excerpts from her intimate diaries and letters provide context and imbue Kahlo’s work with additional meaning. Authors Héctor Tajonar and Roxana Velásquez—the world’s foremost authorities on Frida Kahlo—deftly untangle the many threads of Kahlo’s complex persona. Kahlo was a charismatic force. Fiercely political and proud of her Mexican heritage, she maintained a dense network of romantic and platonic relationships, including two marriages to fellow artist Diego Rivera. But her childhood illness and the tragic accident she suffered as a teenager left her physically vulnerable. Understanding that duality is key to fully appreciating Kahlo’s extraordinary work. With this deeply researched, stunningly designed volume in hand, readers can do just that.