Frida and Diego: A Smile at Halfway

Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera: historical records

US visa granted to Diego Rivera for his trip to San Francisco for the inauguration of the Golden Gate International Exposition (29 de mayo de 1940) by Hermanos MayoMuseo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo

The couple moved to the United States. In 1933, they painted a mural for the Rockefeller Center which included the image of Lenin. For that reason it was destroyed, and so they made the decision to return to Mexico.

Frida and Diego on the terrace at the house-studio in San Ángel (ca. 1940) by Autor no identificadoMuseo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo


On their return, they settled in the house-studio that the architect Juan O'Gorman had built for them in San Ángel. Diego's numerous affairs led the couple to divorce in 1935.

Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo in San Ángel (1940) by Nickolas MurayMuseo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo

Following the split, Frida moved to a modern apartment in Insurgentes. However, it was not long until she returned to her beloved Diego. Nonetheless, the couple continued living apart: Rivera in San Ángel and Kahlo in Coyoacán.

Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo in the studio in San Ángel (1940) by Emmy Lou PackardMuseo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo

In 1940, Frida and Diego decided to remarry in San Francisco. On their return to Mexico, they lived in the Blue House in Coyoacán, while Diego commuted daily to the house-studio to continue his work.

Diego Rivera with Frida Kahlo at the Hospital Inglés (ABC Medical Center) (1950) by Juan GuzmánMuseo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo

From 1944 to 1954, Frida's health worsened and this took its toll on their already fragile relationship. In spite of her illness, she installed her only ever solo exhibition held during her lifetime, in the Contemporary Art Gallery.

Frida Kahlo standing in front of her work "Lo que agua me ha dado" (What the Water Gave Me) (1938) by Autor no identificadoMuseo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo, Juan O’Gorman, and Diego Rivera in the last photograph taken of Frida before her death, at a demonstration against US intervention in Guatemala (2 de julio de 1954) by autor no identificadoMuseo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo

On July 2, a convalescent Frida marched with Diego at the demonstration to protest against US intervention in Guatemala.

Diego Rivera next to Frida's coffin at the Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts). With him are Andrés Iduarte, who read the funeral prayer, Lázaro Cárdenas, Emma Hurtado, and Víctor Manuel Villaseñor. In the foreground is his daughter Lupe Rivera Marín. (14 de julio de 1954) by Autor no identificadoMuseo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo

Eleven days later, on July 13, 1954, she died. Throughout her life she underwent more than 20 surgical interventions, the last being the amputation of her left leg.

Diego Rivera's wake, held at his studio in San Ángel (noviembre de 1957) by Autor no identificadoMuseo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo

Three years later, after battling cancer, Diego Rivera died in 1957.

Frida and Diego. The cables for the lights in the San Ángel studio can be seen in the background. (1938) by Nickolas MurayMuseo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo

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