Frida Kahlo is best-known for her self-portraits, which have imprinted images of the Mexican artist with her strong brow, somewhat stern expression and cupid bow lips into the collective conscious. Kahlo’s personal photographs are on display for the first time in the U.S and offer a different insight into the artist, giving viewers intimate snapshots into her private life. The photos provide a glimpse into Kahlo's life with her husband, the severe pain she suffered as the result of a serious bus accident, as well as her talent in taking photographs herself.
Frida Kahlo is pictured in 1946 after an operation
This shot by Florence Arquin shows Kahlo at home with monkey Fulang Chang, taken in 1938
Photo was taken by Gisèle Freund in 1951 - three years before her death
The collection of photographs was kept hidden for over fifty years after her death at the request of her husband, artist Diego Rivera. The collection was eventually shown to the public in 2007 at the Blue House in Coyoacan Mexico, where Kahlo was born and raised and where she returned to live until her death in 1954. The Blue House is now home to the Museo Frida Kahlo.
The selection of personal photographs is being exhibited for the first time in the U.S at an art gallery in Arlington, Virginia - the twin town to Kahlo's home town in Mexico.
Frida Kahlo pictured in bed with an unidentified person gives viewers an intimate snapshot into Kahlo's personal life, taken 1930
Kahlo snapped with friend and photographer,Tina Modotti, in 1928
Nickolas Muray and Frida Kahlo in 1939, photo was taken by Muray
Gisèle Freund photographed Kahlo painting a portrait of her father in 1951
Out of a collection of 6,500 photographs, Mexican photographer and curator Pablo Ortiz Monasterio selected 240 photographs for the exhibition, ‘Frieda kahlo: Her Photos.’
The photos shine light on the celebrated artist’s personal life, showing her with friends, at work painting, and provide a stark contrast from the self-portraits that have largely informed the collective image of Kahlo.
Photography was a medium close to Kahlo’s heart as her father, Guillermo, made his living as a photographer. Kahlo had prominent photographers such as Edward Weston, Manuel Alvarez Bravo and Tina Modotti within her circle of friends.
Kahlo's husband Diego Rivera at work in his studio in San Ángel - Kahlo made her mark on this photo taken in 1940
This photo of Diego's eye is one of the few attributed to Frida Kahlo, 1936
Photograph taken by Kahlo in 1930 - both her father and grandfather were photographers
Just a few photos in the collection are attributed to Kahlo herself – some she annotated and others she personalised with a lipsticked kiss. One photograph she sealed with her kiss is of her husband while he is at work painting in his studio. The couple had a rocky relationship and were married twice. In Diego Rivera's will, he specified that the original images belonging to him and his wife should never leave Mexico which means the exhibition in Virginia are showing carefully crafted reproductions.
Kahlo in 1944, taken by Lola Álvarez Bravo
Frida Kahlo is best known for her self portraits such as this one - Self Portrait with Monkey (1938)
