Frida Kahlo

Bernard Silberstein photographed Frida Kahlo on a few occasions in the early 1940s, often depicting her in the rooms of Casa Azul, her home in Coyoacán, Mexico. Here, her figure is isolated against a plain cloth backdrop. Bougainvillea blossoms and a white rosebud adorn her hair. She seems regal but also coy; she looks to the side, the corners of her lips hint at the beginning of a smile.

Kahlo collected indigenous clothing from various regions of Mexico and Central America. She was among the most photographed women of her generation, and she carefully chose her clothing, jewelry, and hairstyle for each photo session, blending elements from the different regions to create a Mexican visual identity that was distinctly her own.