- “Portrait of My Father,” (1951), Mexican artist Frida Kahlo shows us her photographer father Guillermo Kahlo with the tool of his trade – a camera.
From an early age, Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) identified with her German-born father, Guillermo Kahlo, a portrait photographer. In her diary, she wrote (in Spanish):
“My childhood was marvelous because, although my father was a sick man [ he had epilepsy], he was an immense example to me of tenderness, of work (photographer and also painter)….”
Frida Kahlo as photographed by her father, Guillermo Kahlo (1872-1941) in 1926 at about age 19. This was taken after Frida's horrific bus accident.
Guillermo Kahlo taught young Frida how to use a camera and how to develop, retouch, and color photographs. He adored Frida and photographed her often. Perhaps this is when Frida developed her obsession for self-portraiture.
Frida Kahlo (l) at about age 19 with her family (c. 1927)
Definitely, by this time, Frida Kahlo had discovered how to seduce the camera. In this 1927 (perhaps 1924?) family photo, Frida appears androgynous, flouting convention by wearing a man’s suit and slicking back her hair. She was quite the rebel. Meanwhile, her sisters and mother pose demurely nearby in period flapper attire. Frida, however, has adopted a jaunty pose and an expression that says:
“Don’t look at them. Look at me!”
We can’t help staring at her. At 19 she is already an exotic creature. Thus began Frida Kahlo’s long and celebrated career of using personal dress as theatre.
Lisa's History Room 
Such a great post! The pictures you have posted are absolutely stunning. It is so fascinating to see a family deeply emerged into art. I have re-blogged this over at http://mexicoart.org. Please stop by and enjoy some images of other Mexican artists. While you are there, feel free to leave a comment too. I really enjoy your incite!
Thanks!
@MexicanArtists
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[…] "Portrait of My Father," (1951), Mexican artist Frida Kahlo shows us her photographer father Guillermo Kahlo with the tool of his trade – a camera. From an early age, Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) identified with her German-born father, Guillermo Kahlo, a portrait photographer. In her diary, she wrote (in Spanish): "My childhood was marvelous because, although my father was a sick man [ he had epilepsy], he was an immense example to me o … Read More […]
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[…] [he had epilepsy], he was an immense example to me of tenderness, of work (photographer and also painter)….” Portrait of My Father by Frida Kahlo […]
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