Frida Kahlo 1907to –1954
Painter and Mexican cultural icon. She is mostly known for her self portraits, rooted in folk art and surrealism. A terrible traffic accident when she was a teenager left her struggling with lifelong injuries and constant pain. Her personal trials became a frequent subject of her work, in addition to her experiences as a woman and her love of Mexico. At 22, she married fellow artist Diego Rivera. They were both outspoken in Mexican politics, and they both had affairs during their difficult marriage; Kahlo’s lovers included men and women. When she wasn’t wearing elaborate traditional costumes, Kahlo would often cross-dress, and both can be seen in her paintings. It wasn’t until decades after her death that her work received the widespread popularity it has today.