barbezat

’I don’t know how to write love letters. But I wanted to tell you that my whole being opened for you. Since I fell in love with you everything is transformed and is full of beauty . . . love is like an aroma, like a current, like rain’

Since her death Frida Kahlo has become an iconic cultural figure, renowned for her expressive, highly personal paintings. Her art drew on her often tumultuous private life and while painting was her main form of creative expression, she was also a prolific and moving letter writer.

Though married to fellow artist Diego Rivera for most of her life, they both had numerous affairs, and Frida wrote frequently to her lovers. This book includes a selection of her letters, some of which were also decorated with small drawings. Many examples are reproduced here in facsimile, together with archival images and examples of her art.

As well as examples sent to her first love, Alejandro Gomez Arias, and to her husband Diego Rivera, there are letters written to several other people, including Julien Levy, Nickolas Muray and Jose Bartoli. Taken together they create a very intimate portrait of her personal life as well as showing another side to her creativity.

Beautifully designed and illustrated, this book makes the perfect gift for anyone looking for new insights into the life and work of Frida Kahlo or who simply find her an inspiring figure.

Suzanne Barbezat is a travel writer based in Oaxaca, Mexico. She has worked as a teacher, tour guide, and writer and holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from McGill University, Montreal.