Frida Kahlo is one of the most iconic artists of the 20th century. Her art, which often depicted her own experiences and emotions, continues to inspire people today. However, it wasn’t just her paintings that made her famous – Kahlo was also known for her powerful words. In this article, we’ll be exploring some of the best Frida Kahlo quotes.
Famous Frida Kahlo Quotes
1. “Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?” —Frida Kahlo
2. “I paint flowers so they will not die.” —Frida Kahlo
3. “You deserve a lover who takes away the lies and brings you hope, coffee, and poetry.” —Frida Kahlo
4. “I do not want a half-hearted love, torn and cut in half.” —Frida Kahlo
Kahlo’s quotes cover a wide range of topics, from love and heartbreak to politics and society. Many of her quotes are deeply personal, reflecting her own struggles with physical and emotional pain as we’ll see below.
5. “Nothing is worth more than laughter. It is strength to laugh and to abandon oneself, to be light.” —Frida Kahlo
6. “I tried to drown my sorrows but the bastards learned how to swim , and now I am overwhelmed by this decent and good feeling.” —Frida Kahlo
7. “Don’t build a wall around your suffering. It may devour you from the inside.” —Frida Kahlo
8. “Only one mountain can know the core of another mountain.” —Frida Kahlo
9. “Passion is the bridge that takes you from pain to change.” —Frida Kahlo
10. “At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.” —Frida Kahlo
11. “It is not worthwhile to leave this world without having had a little fun in life.” —Frida Kahlo
12. “I hope the exit is joyful. And I hope never to return.” —Frida Kahlo
This quote, written in Kahlo’s diary shortly before her death, shows her acceptance of mortality and desire for a peaceful end.
Frida Kahlo Love Quotes
13. “Fall in love with yourself, with life, and then with whoever you want.”
14. “Take a lover who looks at you like maybe you are magic.”
15. “I love you more than my own skin.”
16. “No place in life is sadder than an empty bed.”
17. “I am that clumsy human, always loving, loving, loving. And loving. And never leaving.”
18. “Your word travels the entirety of space and reaches my cells which are my stars then goes to yours which are my light.”
19. “I leave you my portrait so that you will have my presence all the days and nights that I am away from you.”
20. “I want to be inside your darkest everything.”
21. “You deserve a lover who wants you disheveled, with everything and all the reasons that wake you up in haste and the demons that won’t let you sleep.” – Frida Kahlo
22. “You deserve a lover who makes you feel safe, who can consume this world whole if he walks hand in hand with you; someone who believes that his embraces are a perfect match with your skin.” – Frida Kahlo
23. “There have been two great accidents in my life. One was the trolley, and the other was Diego. Diego was by far the worst.” – Frida Kahlo (Diego Rivera, a prominent Mexican artist, was her husband and mentor)
24. “My blood is a miracle that, from my veins, crosses the air in my heart into yours.” – Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo quotes on Strength
25. “Tragedy is the most ridiculous thing.” —Frida Kahlo
26. “Nothing is absolute. Everything changes, everything moves, everything revolves, everything flies and goes away.” —Frida Kahlo
27. “I am my own muse, I am the subject I know best. The subject I want to know better.” —Frida Kahlo
28. “Pain, pleasure, and death are no more than a process for existence. The revolutionary struggle in this process is a doorway open to intelligence.” —Frida Kahlo
29. “I must fight with all my strength so that the little positive things that my health allows me to do might be pointed toward helping the revolution. The only real reason for living.” – Frida Kahlo
30. “The most powerful art in life is to turn pain into a talisman that heals, a butterfly that is reborn, flowered in a festival of colors.” – Frida Kahlo
31. “The most important part of the body is the brain. Of my face, I like the eyebrows and eyes. Aside from that, I like nothing. My head is too small.” – Frida Kahlo
32. “The most important thing for everyone in Gringolandia is to have ambition and become ‘somebody,’ and frankly, I don’t have the least ambition to become anybody.” – Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo quotes about Art and Resilience
33. “I don’t paint dreams or nightmares, I paint my own reality.”
34. “I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best.”
35. “To paint is the most terrific thing that there is, but to do it well is very difficult.”
36. “Surrealism is the magical surprise of finding a lion in a wardrobe, where you were ‘sure’ of finding shirts.”
37. “I wish I could do whatever I liked behind the curtain of ‘madness.’ Then: I’d arrange flowers, all day long, I’d paint; pain, love, and tenderness, I would laugh as much as I feel like at the stupidity of others, and they would all say: ‘Poor thing, she’s crazy! ”
38. “I believe that by working I will forget the sorrows.”
39. “Painting completed my life. I lost three children and a series of other things that would have fulfilled my horrible life. My painting took the place of all of this. I think work is the best.” – Frida Kahlo
40. “What I wanted to express very clearly and intensely was that the reason these people had to invent or imagine heroes and gods is pure fear. Fear of life and fear of death.” – Frida Kahlo
41. “My subjects have always been my sensations, my states of mind, and the profound reactions that life has been producing in me.” – Frida Kahlo
42. “Through the round numbers and the colored nerves the stars are made and the worlds are sounds.” – Frida Kahlo
43. “Really, I do not know whether my paintings are surrealist or not, but I do know that they are the frankest expression of myself.” – Frida Kahlo
44. “I put on the canvas whatever comes into my mind.” – Frida Kahlo
45. “I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy to be alive as long as I can paint.” – Frida Kahlo
If you enjoy this article, check out our curated list about inspirational strong women quotes, Audrey Hepburn quotes and Maya Angelou quotes
Who was Frida Kahlo?
Frida Kahlo, the renowned Mexican artist and painter, was born on July 6, 1907, in Coyoacán, Mexico City and died on 13 July 1954 at 47. Her life was a blend of revolution, pain, and passion, filled with both joy and sorrow.
Kahlo’s paintings often depicted her physical and emotional pain, as well as her Mexican heritage and political beliefs. She is famous for her bold use of color and her ability to convey complex emotions through her art.
She spent most of her childhood and adult life at La Casa Azul, her family home – now the Frida Kahlo Museum.
Frida’s Struggle with Health
At the age of six, Frida suffered from polio, resulting in her right leg being thinner than her left, leading to a lifelong limp. In 1925, a tragic bus accident left Frida with severe injuries, including fractures in her spine, collarbone, ribs, and a shattered pelvis.
Her life was consumed by chronic pain, and she spent much of it confined to her bed, undergoing multiple surgeries.
Despite her physical struggles, she remained strong and resilient, using her art as a medium to express her pain and show her indomitable spirit.
Artistic Journey
Throughout her life, Frida expressed powerful emotions through her art, delving into themes like pain, love, and identity. Her paintings were a unique blend of surrealism and realism, and self-portraits were a prominent feature, allowing her to convey her emotions and cultural heritage. In 1938 André Breton, principal initiator of the surrealist movement, described Kahlo’s art as a ‘ribbon around a bomb.’
Diego Rivera’s influence on Frida’s art was profound. As her mentor and husband, he encouraged her to embrace her Mexican roots and incorporate them into her work. Their tumultuous relationship was marked by Diego’s infidelities. Her paintings often depicted her relationship with Diego, capturing both the joys and challenges they faced together.
Frida was not only an artist but also an active member of the Communist Party, supporting the revolutionary struggle for social justice. Her artwork reflected her dedication to this cause, portraying the hardships faced by the working class and the poor.
Legacy
Frida Kahlo’s legacy is a profound one, extending beyond her lifetime. Her unique style and subject matter have made her one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century and an icon of Mexican culture.
Frida remains a symbol of self-expression and strength, continuing to inspire people of all generations. Her art, feminism, and unwavering spirit have left an enduring imprint on culture and society.
We hope that you have enjoyed reading the Best Frida Kahlo quotes. Let us know your favorite one below and share her words with your friends on social media.
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