Every bookshelf should have “Frida Kahlo, the Painter and Her Work” by the artist’s expert Helga Prignitz-Poda. This is the ultimate book on the Mexican icon and it is published by Prestel with a wonderful cover focusing on one of the artist’s most celebrated self-portraits.

Helga Prignitz-Poda is an art historian and specialist in Latin American studies and lives in Berlin. She is a specialist on Frida Kahlo and a co-editor of the catalogue raisonné of Kahlo’s work. Prignitz-Poda is also a curator and she has published other books on Mexican culture including “Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, Mexican Modernism”. This makes her an authoritative voice on Kahlo’s oeuvre.

This remarkable title, which was first published in 2003 with subsequent publications, explores the work and life of the most significant Mexican artist through the lens of self-portraits and within the wider art historical and geographical contexts. Helga Prignitz-Poda writes in-depth background information on each of the paintings and dives into the head of the genius like no other author.

“I was considered a Surrealist. That is not right. I never painted dreams. What I depicted, was my reality.” Kahlo famously said. Exploring the reality of the artist, the book focuses on the details and the secrets of the paintings, revealing knowledge and anecdotes one might not have encountered before. This beautiful monograph presents Kahlo’s work in pictures and centres the analysis on the artist.

This rich and pleasurable exploration of Kahlo’s work, an artist who has become such a cult figure, and who is part of both art history and pop culture, is an amazing celebration.

It delves into the artist’s mind too, through glorious moments of her career, as well as clever observations about the role of the physical and mental pain which informed the artist’s creative process, without distinction between work and personal life. Tate’s biography encapsulates it all: “Severely injured in a bus crash in her youth, Kahlo took up painting when confined to her bed. Kahlo’s life was changed forever by the accident and the portrayal of her body, wracked with pain, is a recurring theme in her paintings. Kahlo said that there were two accidents in her life – the second was her tempestuous relationship with the renowned Mexican muralist Diego Rivera. It is in her iconic self portraits, unrivalled in their poignant beauty, that Kahlo depicts both her isolation and also her indomitable spirit and sense of self. The exhibition also reveals the less well-known aspects of her work; her powerful political insights about national identity, the plight of the poor, the march of technology and Mexico’s relationship with its neighbour the USA.”

Kahlo’s technique, talent, her reinvention of European traditions, and the wealth of metaphorical references hidden in the work is revealed in this important survey book which has more than 250 pages among them 175 colour illustrations. It is an absolute must-have for any fan of the artist and art-curious readers alike.

Prestel is one of the world’s leading illustrated book publishers with a stunning list of well-designed books on art, architecture, photography and design. From major exhibition catalogues to comprehensive fictions and non-fictions for children of all ages, Prestel is aimed at art and fashion lovers, creative talents and passionate of visual culture. Since the very beginning, Prestel has focused on quality and intelligence. This has won the company wide recognition and numerous awards in the publishing world. “Frida Kahlo, the Painter and Her Work” is no exception and this book is smart, practical and beautiful.

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