Beyond the renowned figure of Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo Calderón as a painter, whose emblematic oeuvre continues to have enormous influence, her foray into teaching was another facet that also impacted the history of Mexican art.
Contrato de Frida Kahlo en la Secretaría de Educación Pública (1929) by Secretaria de Educación PúblicaArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico
In 1929, Frida Kahlo received her teaching certificate from the Secretaría de Educación Pública (Ministry of Education). She was now an official art teacher focusing on drawing and handicrafts on behalf of the Fine Arts department.
The contract stipulates that Frida Kahlo, with full use of her faculties, would loyally perform the position granted to her as a teacher, following Section II of Article 89 of the Federal Constitution and all subsequent laws.
Here you can see that Frida Kahlo was registered as a teacher with the number 69, and with a 3 pesos salary.
Contrato de Frida Kahlo en la Secretaría de Educación Pública (1929) by Secretaria de Educación PúblicaArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico
On the left hand side of the contract, we can observe the inscription that says “Frida Kahlo Calderón. I received the notice. 29 years old.” Underneath we can also see her signature.
Contrato de Frida Kahlo en la Secretaría de Educación Pública (1929) by Secretaria de Educación PúblicaArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico
At the very bottom of the document, her signature and address are signed in the corresponding spaces.
Diego Rivera, Carlos Chavez and Frida Kahlo by Mayo BrothersArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico
In December of that same year, Frida left her teaching post to accompany her husband, Diego Rivera, to the city of Cuernavaca, where he was commissioned to paint a series of murals. In 1943, she earned a level C certificate to become a Professor of Plastic Arts at the School of Plastic Arts with 12 weekly hour shifts.
01 June 1929
Mexico City
AGN, Administración Pública Federal siglo XX, Secretaria de Educación Pública, Personal Sobresaliente, letra K, Kahlo Calderón, Frida, 392908/caja 1, exp.1
Photograph of Frida Kahlo
AGN, Archivo Fotográfico Hermanos Mayo
Frida Painting in Bed
AGN, Hemeroteca Ignacio Cubas
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