What was Frida Kahlo's life like?

Learn about Frida's life in the Blue House through the lens of photographers Guillermo Zamora and Bernice Kolko.

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What was Frida's life like?

The photographer Guillermo Zamora took a series of photos inside Frida Kahlo's famous Blue House, where she lived with Diego Rivera. The house is now the Frida Kahlo Museum.

Frida Kahlo's Home from the Outside (1950) by Guillermo ZamoraColección Blaisten

The land in Coyoacán where the Frida Kahlo Museum now stands was bought by her father, Guillermo Kahlo. The house dates from 1904 and was built in a style typical of the period, with rooms surrounding a central courtyard.

Frida's studio (1950) by Guillermo ZamoraColección Blaisten

The study was added by Juan O'Gorman later, in 1946, and was in keeping with his functionalist style of architecture.

As well as being Frida's creative space, Diego used the studio to store some of his pre-Hispanic art.

Frida Kahlo's Dining Room (1950) by Guillermo ZamoraColección Blaisten

The dining room, with its selection of handicrafts from all over the country, reflects Frida and Diego's love of Mexico. It includes pottery from Puebla, Jalisco, and Michoacán.

This work of art was in Frida's dining room. It was photographed by Zamora and depicts the beginning of the struggle for workers' rights.

Frida Kahlo's Dining Room (1950) by Guillermo ZamoraColección Blaisten

Frida Kahlo exvoto (1950) by Guillermo ZamoraColección Blaisten

Frida had a collection of more than 400 votive offerings, which were originally kept on the landing of the staircase leading to the study.

Frida Kahlo loved the Mexican tradition of painting offerings of gratitude to saints, the Virgin Mary, or Christ, in thanks for deliverance from an accident or misfortune.

Frida Kahlo in a colective exhibition (1942) by No identificadoColección Blaisten

Frida Kahlo with her symbolic painting, "The Wounded Table," its whereabouts are now unknown.

Garden of Frida´s home (1950) by Guillermo ZamoraColección Blaisten

This section of the courtyard was also designed by Juan O'Gorman. Diego asked him to use volcanic rock, which he had used in the construction of the Anahuacalli Museum. Snail shells and plant pots were also used for decoration.

Frida Kahlo's Home Patio (1950) by Guillermo ZamoraColección Blaisten

The Judas figures that can be seen throughout the house are the work of Carmen Caballero Sevilla. She spent many years creating and selling these papier-mâché figures, traditionally associated with "Semana Santa" or Holy Week, in the Abelardo Rodríguez Market in Mexico City.

Frida Kahlo's studio (1950) by Guillermo ZamoraColección Blaisten

This is one of Guillermo Zamora's photographs of Frida's collection of Judas figures.

Frida's studio (1950) by Guillermo ZamoraColección Blaisten

Frida Kahlo's Home Patio (1950) by Guillermo ZamoraColección Blaisten

Frida Kahlo's Home Patio (1950) by Guillermo ZamoraColección Blaisten

Diego and Frida filled the courtyard of the Blue House with plants and flowers native to Mexico. Nature was extremely important to Frida: beyond merely being part of the decor, plants were her inspiration.

Frida Kahlo and group in Tepepan (1946/1946) by Berenice KolkoColección Blaisten

Bernice Kolko was a close friend of Frida's and her main photographer. Frida is shown here with a group of her closest friends.

Diego and Frida at the studio garden (1950) by Guillermo ZamoraColección Blaisten

Frida and Diego lived in the Blue House from 1929, when they were first married, until Frida died at home in 1954.

Frida Kahlo's Room (1950) by Guillermo ZamoraColección Blaisten

Frida's ashes are still in her bedroom, in a clay urn on the dresser.

Credits: Story

Textos: Renata Blaisten
Selección de obra: Renata Blaisten

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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