Frida Kahlo

3 Pages 744 Words

Mexico’s Woman
Frida Kahlo’s mother was a devout Catholic of mixed Indian and Spanish blood. Her father was born in Germany, the son of Hungarian Jewish Immigrants. He moved to Mexico City, and later studied photography becoming infamous for his photos of Mexico’s Colonial architecture. This background and the Revolution of 1910 drew Frida into focusing the Indian part of her heritage. It was reflected in her behavior ,her appearance, her art, and even in her home decor.
When Frida was a small child she became ill with polio, leaving her right leg shrunken. She always remembered her father being very supportive and drove her in her mental and physical development. Her pastimes at this age were reading, singing, drifting into a fantasy world, and as she got stronger she was involved in sports.
Frida was excepted into the National Preparatory School in 1922, heart set on becoming a doctor. During this time every one had “revolution fever” in Mexico, including Frida. She joined a left wing group called Cachuchas renowned for their smarts and their playful ways. She even changed her birth date from 1907 to 1910 to correspond to the Mexican Revolution beginning. It was at her Preparatory school she first met her future Husband, Diego Rivera. She became smitten with him at first sight even telling a group of friends that it was her goal to have a child by him. Though not a good student she was high spirited, strong willed, rebellious, and an avid reader in Spanish, German, and English.
In 1925, her life was flipped up-side-down when she was in a near deadly bus accident. Her back, foot and pelvis were broken badly when a handrail pierced her body. She had over 30 surgeries but never fully recovered, but in public she was as strong as ever she rejected her pain with a laugh. Her flowing long shirts that she always wore were to cover her limp.
While recovering she began painting, using a special easel and a mirror above ...