Top Picks: Frida Kahlo

One of the most recognizable artists of all time, Frida Kahlo was a Mexican painter, feminist, and activist known for her rich and colorful surrealist self-portraits.

Frida Kahlo was born Magdalena Carmen Frieda Kahlo on July 6, 1907 in Coyoacan, Mexico. Her father, Guillermo Kahlo, was one of Mexico’s most well-known photographers and significantly influenced and encouraged Frida’s intellectual curiosity.

Frida experienced health problems nearly her entire life. As a child, she was afflicted with polio, deforming her right foot. Later, while attending school, she was severely injured in a trolley accident. In recovery, Frida began painting despite her physical limitations.

Her paintings often portrayed her physical and emotional pain, stemming from her injuries and her turbulent marriage to famed Mexican painter Diego Rivera.

Frida Kahlo died July 13, 1954, a symbol of feminism and courage in the face of adversity, and her iconic image and cultural impact are undeniable. In celebration of her life, here are a few top picks for Frida Kahlo.

A magnificent selection of photographs and vividly-detailed paintings make Frida Kahlo, a short yet informative work, well worth a look.

A well-researched and fascinating biography of the life of Frida Kahlo, Frida peels back the layers of the iconic woman we know and reveals her originality and magnetic spirit.

The motion picture Frida depicts Frida Kahlo’s life in Mexico, her fame as an artist, and her tumultuous marriage to Mexican painter and political activist Diego Rivera.