Overview
A sweeping new assessment of Frida Kahlo's place in modern art, from her self-made image to her lasting influence for contemporary artists Few artists have shaped popular culture as profoundly as Mexican painter Frida Kahlo (1907–1954), whose striking self-portraits and deeply personal symbolism have captivated audiences for decades. Remembered, too, for her tumultuous marriage to fellow artist Diego Rivera and her passionate political activism, Kahlo's legacy transcends her artistic oeuvre. To this day, contemporary artists draw on Kahlo's life and work for creative inspiration. Showcasing Kahlo's paintings alongside the work of other artists from around the world and from midcentury to today, Frida: The Making of an Icon investigates the profound and lasting nature of Kahlo's impact. With essays by leading researchers, scholars, and curators, Frida: The Making of an Icon is the first major examination of how Kahlo became a global icon and an important artistic influence, especially beginning in the 1970s. In seven sections, addressing themes from Kahlo's role as a gender-fluid intellectual to her political activism, and including conversations with contemporary artists Magali Lara and Mónica Mayer, this important book celebrates and bridges the complexities of her iconic status and cultural, political, commercial, and artistic legacy. Published in association with the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Exhibition Schedule: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (January–May 2026) Tate Modern, London (June 2026–January 2027)
Reviews
“This profusely illustrated volume . . . carefully threads the nuances, contradictions and interests that inform the Kahlo phenomenon, tracing its reach across sectors. . . . [It] reaffirms Kahlo’s stature while pointing to the sustained effort to reread her legacy, rooted in the emotive connection her work forges with audiences.”—Constanza Ontiveros Valdés, Art Newspaper “Frida: The Making of an Icon . . . approaches Kahlo not just as a painter, but as a cultural construct shaped by politics, feminism, identity, and decades of reinterpretation. It’s the first major scholarly study to tackle Frida as a global icon—and why she still matters now, in our era of personal branding and perfectly curated chaos.”—Derek C. Blasberg, Substack
“Frida: The Making of an Icon . . . approaches Kahlo not just as a painter, but as a cultural construct shaped by politics, feminism, identity, and decades of reinterpretation. It’s the first major scholarly study to tackle Frida as a global icon—and why she still matters now, in our era of personal branding and perfectly curated chaos.”—Derek C. Blasberg, Substack
Author Information
Mari Carmen Ramírez is the Wortham Curator of Latin American Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and founding director of the International Center for the Arts of the Americas.
