Today marks the 70th anniversary of the death of Frida Kahlo, one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
Born on July 6, 1907, in Coyoacán, Mexico, Frida left behind a legacy that has inspired and moved generations. She died on July 13, 1954, but her influence on the art world and beyond remains present and significant.
The Frida Kahlo Museum , also known as La Casa Azul , has curated an impressive commemorative exhibition, complemented by high-profile conferences and artistic events. A particular highlight is the exclusive screening of the new documentary “Frida” by Carla Gutiérrez , which vividly brings the painter's moving life story to life through animated paintings.
The documentary proves to be a fascinating and inspiring journey of discovery through the life, work and soul of the famous artist Frida Kahlo .
We experience Frida's own words from her illustrated diary, letters, essays, and interviews. Through poetic animations inspired by her works, Frida's story comes to life. With FRIDA, director Carla Gutiérrez presents a stunning portrait that illuminates why both the artist and her art are so powerful.
The film was released exclusively on @PrimeVideo for streaming on March 14th.
Gutiérrez and her team worked intensively for over two years to cover more than 40 years of Frida's life, creating a unique cinematic experience. The vivid portrait of Kahlo is skillfully enhanced by magical realism. Most impressive, however, is her multifaceted voice: fearless, seductive, defiant, vulnerable, raw, and wonderfully alive.
Art historian emphasizes the multifaceted nature of Kahlo's work
In a conversation with art historian Luis Martínez Lozano , who specializes in modern and Mexican art, his assessment of the significance of Frida Kahlo 70 years after her death was shared on the Mexican news channel UnoTV .
Martínez Lozano emphasized the importance of appreciating Kahlo's multifaceted nature: as an individual, as a woman who chose the path of an artist, and the cultural and social impact of her work. He highlighted that Frida Kahlo is perceived differently in Mexico and Europe, yet exerts a profound influence worldwide. Her personality has inspired numerous art forms, including exhibitions, videos, ballets, and operas.
How did Frida Kahlo die? What is known about the circumstances of her death?
The painter was born Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo Calderón on July 6, 1907, in Coyoacán, Mexico. Her life lasted 47 intense years.
Seventy years ago today, on July 13, 1954, she officially died of bronchitis. Rumors of a possible suicide still persist.
Her remains were interred in the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City, and her coffin was draped with the flag of the Mexican Communist Party. Frida's body was later cremated, and her ashes were kept at the Casa Azul.
Frida Kahlo died as she lived: intensely and painfully. As she herself said, she was "killed by life" . Her death caused a huge stir and raised questions with differing and unclear answers.
She reported that her last public appearances were at her solo exhibition and at the protest march against the United States' intervention in the Guatemalan government.
On the last occasions when she was seen in public leaving her refuge – the blue house – she presented herself very poorly […]. Her mood was sad, especially during the march. One had the impression that she didn't even have the motivation to dress up and adorn herself as she usually did, with flowers in her head, large earrings, and lots of paint on her face. She came out with a wrinkled and battered expression, and that's how we saw her in a wheelchair near the shopping center, surrounded by friends who even had to hold the banner she was carrying
(translated from Spanish)
In her book Frida: El pincel de la angustia, Martha compiled accounts from Frida's social circle. Friends, doctors, colleagues, and family spoke with the author to enrich the artist's biography.
Regarding Frida Kahlo's death, Zamora obtained the testimony of Cornelia Mayet, the practical nurse whom Frida "Mother ." Mayet says that on July 13, 1954, at around 6:00 a.m., she heard the arrival of Diego Rivera's assistant, Frida's husband.
[…] I left the bedroom and headed towards Frida's bed. Her eyes were open, staring to the side. Her right arm dangled off the bed. I touched her, I called out to her: “Daughter, what has happened to you?” I felt her growing cold, and I called to Manuel to come upstairs and warn Mr. Rivera in his study about what had happened to the girl, Frida.”
(translated from Spanish)
Frida's death certificate states that the cause of death was a "pulmonary embolism." However, there could be several reasons for this. Her biographer tells us of two: an inevitable death due to physical deterioration and an involuntary suicide due to a Demerol overdose .
Regarding the first point, Martha Zamora affirms that Frida Kahlo was aware of the enormous strain her condition placed on those around her. Diego Rivera was responsible for coordinating the support that kept her alive. However, Frida witnessed her husband's deteriorating condition. This exhaustion motivated Frida to submit to the conditions her body imposed upon her.
In the scenario of an overdose, the biographer points out that Frida's dependence on Demerol became increasingly severe. The last entry in her diary contains an extremely sad sentence:
I hope that the departure is joyful and I hope that I never come back
Zamora interprets these last words as follows:
I am firmly convinced that it could be an overdose of Demerol injected by the addicted person (because she injected herself on many occasions) when she woke up in the middle of the night.”
Frida Kahlo, who did not receive the recognition during her lifetime that she enjoys today, was given a ceremonial burial at the Palace of Fine Arts. Thanks to the support of Andrés Iduarte , a former classmate and director of the National Institute of Fine Arts , the funeral service was able to take place at this prestigious venue.
Frida Kahlo's funeral at the Palacio de Bellas Artes. Image source unknown.
Martha Zamora reports that even former President Lázaro Cárdenas was among the figures seen on the left of this photograph who attended the funeral. A significant political act occurred when Arturo García Bustos, another student, placed the flag of the Mexican Communist Party on the coffin.
This political act had repercussions for Andrés Iduarte, who was forced to resign from his post, as well as for Frida's work. For over twenty years, Frida Kahlo's works not exhibited in Mexico.
Seventy years after her death, Frida Kahlo is revered and admired worldwide as an icon. For countless people, she represents the power to effect change. Frida, feminist, disabled, broken, social activist, and proud woman, awakens in us the desire to learn more about her, to stand up for just causes, and to bravely face life's challenges.
Frida Kahlo's life – shaped by pain, will to live and creativity
Frida Kahlo was not only a painter, but also a combative woman who wove her life into her art. Her work is deeply autobiographical and permeated with elements of Mexican culture, personal pain, and political activism. At the age of six, she contracted polio, which resulted in a permanent disability.
Later, at the age of 18, she suffered severe injuries in a bus accident. These injuries not only affected her physical well-being but also the motifs and themes of her art.
Thoughtful Frida Kahlo (ca. 1944) – Photograph from the Manuel Álvarez Bravo Collection Image source: Lola Álvarez Bravo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Her most famous works, including "The Broken Column" and "Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird", reflect her physical and emotional suffering, but also her boundless energy and creativity.
Frida's influence on pop culture
Frida Kahlo has established herself as a pop culture icon, much like Andy Warhol in the USA. Her distinctive self-portraits are recognized worldwide, and her visual language can be found on everything from clothing to household objects.
Their distinctive eyebrows and colorful traditional costumes from Tehuantepec have almost become synonymous with creative rebels.
Posthumous recognition and commemoration
Although Frida enjoyed only moderate success during her lifetime, her talent and influence are celebrated worldwide today. To commemorate the 70th anniversary of her death, numerous exhibitions and events are taking place, paying tribute to her work and life.
Casa Azul, her former home in Coyoacán, is now a museum that attracts countless visitors and provides a deep insight into her life and work.
La Casa Azul – The artist's former house is now a museum
Her legacy in modern art
Frida Kahlo's influence extends beyond painting. Her themes—from identity and postcolonialism to gender and class—have become central discourses in contemporary art and society. Young female artists and activists worldwide cite Frida as a pioneer and inspiration.
Current commemorations of her death anniversary include a major exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, showcasing rarely seen works and personal belongings of Frida.
Numerous events are also taking place in Mexico, including a new play about her life and the aforementioned documentary film, which shows previously unknown film footage and interviews with people who knew her personally.
A few final thoughts to take with you…
Frida Kahlo was more than just a painter. She was a fighter, a pioneer, and a woman who transformed her deepest pain points into art.
It reminds us that true beauty and expressiveness can emerge from the darkest moments of our lives.
Even 70 years after her death, Frida Kahlo remains a force that inspires, challenges, and redefines the boundaries of art and society.
Learn more about the unique life and work of the Mexican painter in our related articles:
Owner and Managing Director of Kunstplaza. Journalist, editor, and passionate blogger in the field of art, design, and creativity since 2011. Successful completion of a degree in web design as part of a university study (2008). Further development of creativity techniques through courses in free drawing, expressive painting, and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market through years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with actors/institutions from art and culture.
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