Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo is one of the most famous artists from Mexico. She was born in 1907. When she was a teenager, she was badly hurt in a bus accident. While recovering in bed, she started painting. She made many self-portraits that showed her pain, her feelings, and her Mexican heritage. Her paintings are full of bright colors, flowers, and animals. Frida turned her struggles into powerful art that inspires people everywhere.

Painting Her Life

Frida made about 55 self-portraits during her life. She once said she painted herself because she was the person she knew best. In her paintings, she often wore traditional Mexican clothing with flowers in her hair. She included animals like monkeys, parrots, and deer. Some paintings show her pain from her accident and her many surgeries. Others celebrate her Mexican roots and the things she loved.

A Strong Spirit

Even though Frida was often in pain, she lived a bold and colorful life. She married the famous muralist Diego Rivera. Her house in Mexico City, called the Blue House, is now a museum. Frida was proud of her Mexican culture and included its symbols in her art. She was not very famous during her lifetime, but today she is one of the most recognized artists in the world. Her face appears on stamps, shirts, and murals everywhere.

Fun Facts

• Frida's childhood home, the Blue House in Mexico City, is now a museum where you can see her art and belongings.
• She kept pet monkeys, parrots, and hairless dogs, and they often appear in her paintings.
• Frida once said she was born in 1910 instead of 1907 because she wanted her birthday to match the year of the Mexican Revolution.

Did You Know?

Frida Kahlo started painting while lying flat in bed recovering from her accident. Her mother had a special easel made so Frida could paint while lying down!