Frida Kahlo's experience with Polio

Tree of Hope, Remain Strong

For the first event that is connected to the artist, I have chosen a very personal event about Frida Kahlo which is about her poor health in her childhood. I used Frida Kahlo’s 1946 Tree of Hope, Remain Strong painting since she had not painted anything about her childhood health. Frida had contracted polio in the year 1913 at the age of six years old and had to be bedridden for nine months. Polio is an infectious disease that is caused by a virus, can spread from person to person, and causes paralysis or even death in some cases. Polio caused Frida’s right leg to grow thinner than her left leg, which also caused her to limp after she recovered from Polio. Frida became very insecure about her leg so she would wear long skirts to cover her legs for the rest of her life. Frida Kahlo has stated “I paint myself because I am often alone and I am the subject I know best.” This event can help someone understand the image because they are able to get a sense of Frida’s background and how her pain started at an early age and has had a big impact on her life.

Frida Kahlo Biography, www.fridakahlo.org/frida-kahlo-biography.jsp. Accessed 17 Mar. 2024.

Florida, Disability Rights. “Happy Birthday and Happy Disability Pride Month, Frida Kahlo.” Disability Rights Florida, disabilityrightsflorida.org/blog/entry/Frida_Khalos_6_Disability_Themed_Paintings#:~:text=In%201913%2C%20when%20she%20was,an%20outspoken%20and%20strong%20student. Accessed 1 Apr. 2024. 



Associated Place(s)

Event date:

1913 to 1946

Parent Chronology: