A book critique of [Dolor y Pasión]. Kettenmann, A. Taschen, 1999.

In this book critique I wanted to show you the main contents of  "Dolor y pasión" by Andrea Kettenmann. This is a delightful book about Frida Kahlo's life and paintings. If you like reading bibliographies, you will find this critique interesting.

Frida Kahlo’s biography, “Dolor y Pasión”, was written by Andrea Kettenmann in 1999 and published by Taschen.  The potential audience seems to be not only people who enjoy art in general but also those who like Kahlo’s work since several samples of her paintings are included. In this biography, her most memorable paintings are portrayed and a context to each of them is given in addition to the description of her most relevant life events. “Para expresar sus fantasías y sentimientos, desarrolló una lengua pictórica con vocabulario y sintaxis propios. Utilizó símbolos que han de ser descifrados por el que quiera analizar su obra y los contextos que la rodean” (Kettenmann, 1999, p.20).

The formal structure of the book is divided into eight chapters, each one related to a specific period of the painter’s life. For the use of vocabulary, it is noticeable that the author tries to be objective about Kahlo’s life events. The main idea shown is the description of the artist’s life connected to her paintings. The first chapter, “«Frida la coja» — una muchacha rebelde”, is about the early years of the painter, in which the author traditionally explains and describes Kahlo’s family and illnesses. In the second chapter, “La grácil paloma y la rana gorda”, Kettenmann (1999) summarizes the first contacts with painting, the early years of the relationship with the painter Diego Rivera and Kahlo’s suffering physical problems. There is a vast presentation of her drawings, popular and unknown ones.

In the following strangely-entitled chapter, “Una pintora Mexicana en «Gringolandia»”, Kettenmann (1999) provides precise details about the painter and Rivera’s love story. It is also mentioned in this chapter how Diego becomes her mentor and her greatest supporter though they always had a stormy relationship. The audience will also know about her lovers; the artist has an affair with the Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky. In the fourth chapter, “Desesperación y éxito”, the writer’s work realistically recreates the scenes from the painter’s life becoming famous and relating her to important contemporaries, including Tina Modotti, Pablo Picasso, and Diego Rivera who called her the greatest painter of our time. The author not only acknowledges Kahlo’s talent, independence, and strength, but also points out her jealousy, tendency towards drug abuse, and affairs.

 In the fifth chapter entitled “Los cirujanos, «jijos de su ... recién casada mamá»”, Kettenmann (1999) comments that Kahlo wrote her own diary with past and present events until her death.  The most important phrase that depicts Kahlo’s message to her art students is “[n]o podemos hacer nada encerrados en esta escuela. Salgamos a la calle. Vayamos a pintar la vida callejera” (as cited in Kettenmann, 1999, p.67). In the chapter “Alegremente espero la partida”, the author clarifies that Kahlo’s health got worse and she underwent several surgeries. In spite of all these impediments, she never ceased to paint. “Ya comencé a pintar el cuadrito que voy a regalarle al doctor Farill…” (as cited in Kettenmann, 1999, p.79). 

This book presents a comprehensive study of this well-known artist, incorporating photographs, painting reproductions, in the most readable, pleasant, intelligent work available. The main feature of the biography is that you need not be an art expert to be spellbound by this work. Kettenmann's compassionate version will capture anyone who wonders just what Frida Kahlo was like. The rating of the book may be four out of five stars because some of the names of the chapters might be changed since they seem quite grotesque and informal. Many people would decide to watch the films about her instead of reading this book, but it is highly recommended since it is complete, trustworthy and objective.

References

Brooks, M. (2005).  Frida Kahlo fans. Sacramento, California, USA. Retrieved October 5^th, 2011, from http://www.fridakahlofans.com/index.html

Kettenman, A. (1999). Dolor y pasión. Taschen.