Very few artists have transcended the realm of art history to become as ubiquitous as Frida Kahlo. As one of the most recognisable figures of the 20th century, her artworks – and her image – have become deeply embedded in the cultural consciousness. Loaded with potent symbolism, her paintings continue to retain their fascination for subsequent generations.
A new large-format book, Frida Kahlo: The Complete Paintings, published by Taschen, is the most extensive and comprehensive study of Kahlo’s vast artistic career to date. Featuring works that were previously lost or haven’t been on display for over 80 years, it also includes paintings that belong to private collections and are difficult for the general public to access.
Intimate letters, drawings, and diary entries allow the reader new insight into the biography and the abundant inner life of this legendary Mexican artist, while personal photographs illustrate scenes from her marriage to the painter Diego Riviera, depicting their life together at Casa Azul – Kahlo’s “intimate universe”.
Her famed self-portraits – exploring themes such as womanhood, her Latin cultural inheritance, and her experiences of disability and chronic pain – are so instantly recognisable they have become truly iconic. This volume contains over 50 such paintings, so rich in meaning they still, after all these years, promise to carry layers of undisclosed revelation.
Take a look through the gallery above for a selection of some of the compelling paintings featured in Frida Kahlo: The Complete Paintings.
Frida Kahlo: The Complete Paintings (edited by Luis-Martín Lozano and with contributions from Andrea Kettenmann and Marina Vázquez Ramos) is published by Taschen and available now for £150
