Frida Kahlo

Step into the world of Frida Kahlo: behind the portraits and the surrealist art discover the fascinating woman who has transfixed the world.

Fridamania has made Frida Kahlo's image ubiquitous: she has been reborn as a Halloween costume, Barbie doll, children's book character, textile print, phone cover and the inspiration for everything from cocktails to fashion shoots. But it is more difficult to get a clear vision of this bold and brilliant, foul-mouthed, heavy-drinking, hard-smoking, husband-stealing, occasionally bisexual, often bed-bound, wheelchair-using, needy, forthright and passionate woman. Hettie Judah sets out to correct that with this superb biography of one of the most charismatic artists of the last hundred years.

Follow Frida's life through tumultuous love and life-altering accidents, towards recognition in the art world from the likes of Andr Breton and Marcel Duchamp, to becoming the first Mexican artist held at the Louvre. Judah delves into Kahlo's experiences and how these came together to inspire the art that has been described as an uncompromising depiction of the female experience and form. From an early battle with Polio, to a debilitating bus accident at 18, through love and heart ache, the life of Frida Kahlo was one of pain but a pain that bore great beauty.

Hettie Judah is a contributing writer for publications including the Guardian, Vogue, The New York Times, Frieze and Art Quarterly.

Lives of the Artists is a new series by Laurence King. Concise, highly readable biographies of some of the world's greatest artists written by authoritative and respected names from the world of art. Learn about the artist behind the masterpieces.

Currently available: Andy Warhol and Artemisia Gentileschi

Author: Hettie Judah
Publisher: Laurence King
Published: 10/06/2020
Pages: 128
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.55lbs
Size: 7.20h x 5.00w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9781786277114

About the Author
Hettie Judah is senior art critic on the British newspaper The I, and contributor to many other publications, books and exhibition catalogues. She regularly talks about art and with artists, hosting conversations and discussions at museums and galleries. She is the author of the guide Art London, published in 2019.