Get ready for a whirlwind journey through the kaleidoscopic world of Frida Kahlo, where every stroke is a burst of emotion and every canvas is a window into the soul of a woman who painted her truth. In this blog post, we’ll unravel the tales behind 13 Frida Khalo paintings. So, buckle up—Frida’s vibrant legacy is about to unfold, and it’s going to be a rollercoaster of feels, colors, and that special touch of Frida magic!
1. Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird (1940)
| Date Completed | 1940 |
| Dimensions | 24 x 18 inches |
| Location | Harry Ransom Center, Austin, Texas |
In this Frida Khalo’s painting, she adorned with a thorn necklace and accompanied by a hummingbird, invites us into her world of contrasts. Completed in 1940, this 24 x 18-inch canvas, now housed in the Harry Ransom Center in Austin, Texas, is a symphony of pain and resilience. The thorn necklace, a symbol of life’s prickly nature, and the delicate hummingbird, an emblem of fragility, converge in a visual narrative that transcends the canvas.
2. The Two Fridas (1939)
| Date Completed | 1939 |
| Dimensions | 67 x 67 inches |
| Location | Museo de Arte Moderno, Mexico City |
Step into the extraordinary world of duality with “The Two Fridas.” Painted in 1939 and stretching across a canvas that measures 67 x 67 inches, this famous painting is showcased at the Museo de Arte Moderno in Mexico City. The twin Fridas—one adorned in traditional Mexican garb, the other in European attire—stand as powerful symbols of Kahlo’s cultural and personal dualities. It’s a visual feast, a fashion face-off, and a testament to the complexities of identity.
3. The Broken Column (1944)
| Date Completed | 1944 |
| Dimensions | 29 x 23 inches |
| Location | Private Collection |
“The Broken Column” could be the tagline for Frida’s self-portrait titled “The Broken Column.” Executed in 1944 and now housed in a private collection, this 29 x 23-inch canvas lays bare Kahlo’s post-surgical reality after a spinal operation. The broken column, a metaphor for her fractured body, becomes a focal point in a composition that harmonizes physical and emotional pain.
4. Self-Portrait with Cropped Hair (1940)
| Date Completed | 1940 |
| Dimensions | 15.8 x 13 inches |
| Location | Private Collection |
Picture Frida with a pair of scissors, cutting through societal norms and expectations in “Self-Portrait with Cropped Hair.” Completed in 1940 and measuring 15.8 x 13 inches, this rebellious artwork is a testament to Kahlo’s unapologetic defiance. With androgynous swagger, she challenges conventional gender roles and presents herself as a bold, confident figure.
5. Henry Ford Hospital (1932)
| Date Completed | 1932 |
| Dimensions | 30 x 38 inches |
| Location | Dolores Olmedo Museum, Mexico City |
Frida turns the canvas into a lyrical narrative in “Henry Ford Hospital,” painted in 1932 and now residing in the Dolores Olmedo Museum in Mexico City. This 30 x 38-inch composition serves as a surreal opera, with a fetus, a snail, and industrial elements forming a heart-wrenching symphony of life, loss, and resilience.
6. The Wounded Deer (1946)
| Date Completed | 1946 |
| Dimensions | 29 x 23 inches |
| Location | Collection of Dolores Olmedo Museum, Mexico City |
Buckle up for a surreal safari as you encounter “The Wounded Deer,” crafted by Kahlo in 1946. With dimensions of 29 x 23 inches, this painting, housed in the Collection of Dolores Olmedo Museum in Mexico City, transforms Frida into a wounded deer pierced by arrows. It’s a visual extravaganza that blends the ethereal with the earthly.
7. My Birth (1932)
| Date Completed | 1932 |
| Dimensions | 12 x 14 inches |
| Location | Private Collection |
Step into the surreal realm of birth with “My Birth,” an artwork from 1932 that measures 12 x 14 inches and resides in a private collection. Frida’s depiction of herself emerging from her mother’s womb is a fantastical journey into the complexities of life, death, and rebirth.
8. Self-Portrait on the Borderline Between Mexico and the United States (1932)
| Date Completed | 1932 |
| Dimensions | 12 x 15 inches |
| Location | Private Collection |
Frida takes on borders, both physical and metaphorical, in “Self-Portrait on the Borderline Between Mexico and the United States.” Painted in 1932 and measuring 12 x 15 inches, this artwork, housed in a private collection, is a visual commentary on the political and cultural tensions of its time. Frida straddles borders, challenging the very notion of boundaries.
9. Diego and I (1949)
| Date Completed | 1949 |
| Dimensions | 29 x 23 inches |
| Location | Collection of Dolores Olmedo Museum, Mexico City |
The saga of Frida and Diego unfolds in “Diego and I,” a poignant self-portrait from 1949. With dimensions of 29 x 23 inches, this emotional masterpiece resides in the Collection of Dolores Olmedo Museum in Mexico City. The dual portraits reveal a chasm, an emotional Grand Canyon that speaks volumes about the complexities of their relationship.
10. The Suicide of Dorothy Hale (1939)
| Date Completed | 1939 |
| Dimensions | 20 x 30 inches |
| Location | Phoenix Art Museum |
Frida adds her magic touch to a commissioned work in “The Suicide of Dorothy Hale.” Executed in 1939 and measuring 20 x 30 inches, this painting, showcased at the Phoenix Art Museum, narrates the tragic tale of Dorothy Hale’s leap with a surreal twist. It’s a visual rollercoaster that invites you into a realm where tragedy meets artistry.
11. Self-Portrait with Monkey (1938)
| Date Completed | 1938 |
| Dimensions | 24 x 18 inches |
| Location | Private Collection |
Frida and her monkey companion take center stage in “Self-Portrait with Monkey,” a delightful composition from 1938. With dimensions of 24 x 18 inches, this artwork, residing in a private collection, is more than a selfie—it’s a whimsical exploration of companionship and emotional support, with a furry friend by her side.
12. What the Water Gave Me (1938)
| Date Completed | 1938 |
| Dimensions | 32 x 23 inches |
| Location | Collection of Moderna Museet, Stockholm |
Dive into the bathtub of dreams with “What the Water Gave Me,” a surreal exploration by Frida from 1938. This 32 x 23-inch masterpiece, now part of the Collection of Moderna Museet in Stockholm, immerses you in a world where water isn’t just water—it’s a canvas of dreams, a window into the whimsical recesses of Kahlo’s mind.
13. Self-Portrait with Diego on My Mind (1943)
| Date Completed | 1943 |
| Dimensions | 29 x 23 inches |
| Location | Private Collection |
Frida, lost in contemplation with Diego lingering in the background, unfolds her innermost thoughts in “Self-Portrait with Diego on My Mind.” Completed in 1943 and measuring 29 x 23 inches, this introspective masterpiece, housed in a private collection, is more than a self-portrait—it’s a visual diary entry, a canvas of emotions where Diego’s image softly plays in the background.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Frida Kahlo famous painting called?
One of Frida Kahlo’s painting is The Two Fridas which captures the artist’s emotional turmoil following her separation from Rivera.
Why is Frida Kahlo painting important?
Kahlo surprises the audience with her visionary ability; she was the first female artist to defy art’s rules in order to explore her own psyche, which was filled with symbols and personal stories, and which captured the imagination of many artists all over the world.
Conclusion
And there you have it—an in-depth exploration of Frida Kahlo’s paintings, her vibrant legacy encapsulated in 13 iconic masterpieces. Each canvas not only tells a story but unfolds a chapter of resilience, defiance, and unapologetic self-love. So, next time you find yourself in the hallowed halls of an art museum, don’t just gaze at the paintings; immerse yourself in the whirlwind of Frida’s emotions. It’s not just art; it’s a party, and consider this your exclusive invitation!
