Wednesday Woman: Frida Kahlo--Mexican Painter

Frida Kahlo

Mexican Painter

Frida Kahlo was born in 1907 at the age of 6 she contracted the polio virus and was bedridden for 9 months. The virus damaged her right leg leaving her with a limp when she walked.

Frida wanted to be a doctor, at the age of 15 she enrolled in the elite National Preparatory School for the study of Science. She was one of 35 girls in a student body of 200.

Three years later, at the age of 18, she was in a bus that collided with a streetcar. A metal shaft went through her hip and came out the other side. Her leg and collar bone were fractured and she sustained damage to her back. She was once again forced to lie in bed while wearing an uncomfortable plaster corset.

During her recovery she had the idea that she could become a medical artist. Her mother bought her an easel that she could use while lying in bed and Frida began to paint self portraits and portraits of her friends. Frida used bold colors and honest depictions. Her family encouraged her to keep painting.

Frida's paintings were inspired by the colorful traditional Mexican dress, and folkart. Her paintings became popular throughout the world. Frida's paintings depict her feelings of what it is like to be in pain, to be a woman and to be Mexican.

Frida is an example of rising above our circumstances. 

I enjoy finding quotes from each woman I write about. Frida was a difficult one to narrow down to just 2 or 3 quotes. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.