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Frida Kahlo: A Life Story Hidden in Portraits

14 April 2021

FRIDA KAHLO

“I paint my own reality. The only thing I know is that I paint because I need to, and I paint whatever passes through my head without any other consideration.”

“I paint myself because I am so often alone and because I am the subject I know best.”

The Broken Column, 1944

A terrible collision takes place when Frida Kahlo and her lover take a crowded bus. This terrible accident causes Frida to get stuck in an iron. With this portrait, she tells us about the pain she experienced after the accident. She had surgeries and worked hard so that she could walk after the accident. She had to wear a steel corset with a belt that wrapped around her torso. The nails on her face represent Frida’s pain. With this painting, Frida tries to give us a message of spiritual victory despite all her physical pain.

The Two Fridas, 1939

It is believed that she portrayed her loss as it was a painting she created after her divorce from Diego. This portrait represents two different Frida. The two are holding hands, both visible hearts drawn. Traditional Frida’s heart was cut off and the bleeding was shown in an unstoppable way. The interconnectedness of the two hearts in the picture can be interpreted as Frida, no matter what she lives, returns to herself and confronts herself. Despite her blood-shedding heart, she continues to live by taking strength from herself again.

Henry Ford Hospital, 1932

Frida’s uterus and ovaries were also damaged during her traffic accident. It was too risky for her to get pregnant, but Frida got pregnant despite all the risks. During her marriage to Diego, she got pregnant twice but she had miscarriages each time. In this portrait, she tells about giving up her baby despite all the odds. It looks like 6 objects are flying around her. There is a baby, a fetus, and an orchid that looks like a womb. The snail represents the slowness of the operation. Orchid may represent her sensuality about Diego. All of these are tied with a red tie. The tying of this bond to Frida’s stomach may be a symbol of her inner world and trying to keep all of this together.

Self-Portrait with Cropped Hair, 1940

In this painting, we see that she draws herself very differently than usual, with men’s clothes and short hair.

Her love affair with Diego is full of breakups. Her hair, which she cut as a result of the depression, fell into the picture. Diego cheated on Frida with her own sister and this was the reason for their separation before this picture. She also refers to her own bisexuality with this portrait.

Viva la Vida, Watermelons, 1954

Since this painting is the last painting of Frida Kahlo before she died, we can say that it is the last message that Frida Kahlo gave us. The name of this portrait represents life and living. These watermelons symbolize a life full of physical pain. It also shows that the watermelon has a lively and fresh inside under its hard skin. Watermelons become a bright celebration of life.

“Feet, what do I need them for, If I have wings to fly.”