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Adolfo Best Maugard, María Luisa Cabrera de Block, and Frida Kahlo, (1945). All images © 2010 Banco de México in its capacity as Trustee in the Trust relating to the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Museums, courtesy of RM Publishing, shared with permission

A Reissued Book Reveals Hundreds of Photos from Frida Kahlo’s Personal Collection

In her short lifetime, Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) collected an incredibly vast archive of photographs. Her father, Guillermo Kahlo, had been one of Mexico’s most well-known photographers, documenting architecture, industry, and himself, and his legacy certainly influenced the artist’s enduring interest in self-portraiture and image-making.

While Frida fostered a prodigious artistic practice of her own, she also amassed more than 6,000 photos taken by friends, family, colleagues, and sometimes, herself. Within her trove are snapshots of Mexico and her life, particularly moments shared with her husband, the artist Diego Rivera. Compiled in a recently reissued book, the collection offers unparalleled insight into the influential couple’s life and work.

a black and white photo of frida painting a portrait of a man
Frida painting the portrait of her father Guillermo Kahlo (1951). Photo by Giséle Freud

Frida Kahlo: Her Photos was originally published by Editorial RM in 2010 and out of print until its re-release in October. Containing annotations and notes, the tome features hundreds of black-and-white images that, before 2004, had been hidden in storage in the artist’s Mexico City home. This edition once again offers audiences the opportunity to better understand the bonds, preferences, and daily minutiae of two of the most important artists of the 20th century.

Spanish and English versions of Frida Kahlo: Her Photos are available on Bookshop.

an open book spread showing frida in bed on her stomach
a black and white photo of men wearing sombreros and holding guns
Revolutionaries
an open book spread with two images. on left: a woman wearing a scarf on her head and dark skirt. right: diego rivera standign near a picnic table
a woman wearing a fur-collared coat holds a bird while a young girl looks up at it with a smile. a man with short hair sits in a chair nearby
Diego Rivera with his models, Nieves Orozco and Inesita
a book spread open with two images. on the left: a group portrait on a balcony. right: a hazy portrait of frida
the camera looks down at the artist with his arms crossed. he's seated and wearing a polka dotted shirt and tie
Diego Rivera (1933). Photo by Esther Born
a book cover with a portrait of frida kahlo that says "frida kahlo her photos"

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