Frida Kahlo: A Revolutionary Life Through Art

Frida Kahlo Born July 6, 1907, only three years prior to the Mexican Revolution, Frida Kahlo was a curious, wild, passionate girl who aspired to be a doctor. She grew up in a time in which a great creative movement began, one that would cause great transformation in Mexico. During and post Revolution, Mexico transformed socially, politically, and culturally, giving itself a new identity of strength and solidarity. This is a crucial component to her life story, as she would later on lie about her birth date and claim it to be born in 1910-giving herself the title of a child of the Revolution. Young Frida desired to learn and receive an education, and despite disapproval form her mother, applied to school and was among thirty-five girls accepted to the “Escuela Nacional Preparatoria.” She became part of a group of young intellectuals who went by the name “Las Cachuchas.” From here on end, Frida Kahlo stood out as different, as she openly strayed away from traditional gender roles, and dressed like a boy rather than the expected clothing

Her political views, nationalism, and personal life were a whole, and she reflected this in her paintings. She was very much transparent in everything she lived through, and through this contributed by offering art that was unfiltered, making it a political statement. In her artworks, Frida Kahlo depicted a reality of life, one that endures sufferings, heartbreak, and loss. Yet, she gave an example to women by stepping out of the expected roles and being independent and unapologetic. Because of this, she has not only become a contribution to the history of modern art but also of feminist art. As Diana Vernon write in her article “Fridamania: The Frida Kahlo Effect”, ““In her cultural persona, Frida extended the history of Mexico into her art, thus building a patrimony of cultural ideals, artistic techniques, and social values that are today important for her country and the art she