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If you are a fan of Frida Kahlo and Mexican tattoo artwork in general, then this list of Frida Kahlo tattoos definitely is for you.
Frida Kahlo (6 July 1907–13 July 1954) is a famous Mexican painter who dipped her brushes in many artistic styles such as magical realism, naïve, and surrealism.
Frida Kahlo is best known for her numerous self-portraits and paintings that were directly inspired by the rich indigenous culture of her country. Her paintings employed a naïve folk art style that questioned and explored her identity and gender, as well as the issues of race, class, and post-colonialism of Mexico.
Though initially Frida Kahlo never considered art as a career choice, a critical bus accident when she was a teen changed her life forever. Bedridden for months, she took up painting portraits of her own, as well as that of her parents, relatives, and school friends. This was the stepping stone to a lifelong obsession with art that exuded strong autobiographical elements mixed with fantasy and realism. Frida Kahlo’s interest in politics and art was the reason for her joining the Mexican Communist Party in 1927 where she met her love and spouse, Diego Rivera, another Mexican artist. They married a couple of years later and spent the better part of the next decade travelling through Mexico and America. It was during this time that Kahlo earned her fame by painting numerous self-portraits that contained elements of Catholic and pre-Columbian beliefs. Frida Kahlo got her paintings exhibited in famous galleries of Paris and New York, and even Louvre bought one of her artworks. Shortly after her solo exhibition in Mexico, she died at the tender age of 47.
Frida Kahlo’s paintings were rediscovered in the late 70s, but she earned her iconic status in the 90s where she was not only revered upon as a painter but also as a staunch political activist and feminist. She was associated with the feminism movement of Chicanos as well as the LGBTQ+ movement. Frida is now a celebrated international artist whose works are indicative of native Mexican roots and traditions and also renowned for its brave and unyielding depiction of the female body and experience.
If you desire to pay homage to this amazing Mexican artist by getting a Frida tattoo inked or other tattoos based on her artwork, then this specially curated list of Frida Kahlo tattoos is a must-read for you.
The Abstract Frida Kahlo Tattoo
Frida Kahlo’s abstract drawings were a much-celebrated art style of hers that earned her popularity worldwide. The simple drawing technique combined minimal figures and tangent lines with vibrant use of colours and are a treat to the eye. Get this beautiful hand tattoo inspired by Frida Kahlo’s abstract drawing technique to wow your buddies and colleagues alike.
The Frida Kahlo Wounded Deer Tattoo
In the mid-1940s, Frida underwent back surgery to relieve her from back pain and other spinal cord related problems. When the surgery failed, Kahlo did this painting to express her displeasure with the surgery. The famous oil painting shows a young fawn with Kahlo’s head amidst broken branches in a forest. The deer is fatally wounded by a bunch of arrows and far away on the horizon, we can see a stormy sky. This super artwork chronicles despair and pain and the Frida Kahlo deer tattoo pays homage to it.
The Watercolour Themed Frida Kahlo Tattoo
Frida Kahlo was an adept artist when it came to watercolour and her art style merges the simplistic drawing technique with a splash of vibrant hues. This watercolour themed tattoo takes inspiration from her art style and is a must for fans of the Mexican artist Frida.
The Lively Colourful Frida Kahlo Tattoo
Lively tattoos are the new trend with tattoo artists using their expertise to bring to life cultural icons with this beautiful art form. The animated Frida Kahlo is a new addition to these types of tattoos and the bold use of colours as well as the intrepid drawing lines take inspiration from the works of artist Frida herself. Choose this piece of body art if you share Kahlo’s strong political beliefs and ideology and is also a fan of her artwork.
The Frida Kahlo Self-Portrait Tattoo
Frida Kahlo earned most of her name through these beautiful self-portraits of her that were a mixture of different art forms. This beautiful and elegant photo of Frida reminisces that expertise of her quite skillfully and brings to life a popular artist that is an icon for millions worldwide.
The Frida Kahlo Outline Tattoo On Hand
This beautiful tattoo takes inspiration from the portrait of the painter, Frida Kahlo, and the bold outline of Kahlo’s face along with the blooming roses on top of her head would have made artist Frida proud. These Frida Kahlo portrait tattoos are a super piece of body art and look elegant and stunning.
The Amazing Masked Frida Kahlo Tattoo
Due to the global pandemic, the past couple of years have been very difficult for many of us with masks and quarantine being the new normal. We have to work from home, rarely leave our house, and forego almost all things we love such as going on a vacation or enjoying street food. These masked Frida Kahlo tattoos can be the perfect anecdote to uplift our moods as prescribed by artists.
The Minimal Frida Kahlo Ankle Tattoo
Most of the Frida Kahlo tattoos on this list are quite large and complex and will take a lot of time, skin space, money, and commitment to be done perfectly. These things can prove a bit too overwhelming for the first-timers and those on a tight budget. This miniature portrait ankle tattoo of the painter Frida Kahlo demand none of these things and look cool nonetheless. If you getting inked for the first time or are on a shoestring budget, then these minimalistic Frida Kahlo tattoos are perfect for you.
Frida’s Eye And Heart Tattoo
This tattoo form takes the shape of abstract work done by Frida Kahlo and it is quite hard to explain such surrealistic artwork. While the eye of Frida Kahlo lies in the centre of the rising sun, her heart is between a pair of wings that emerge from her detracted limbs. This Frida Kahlo tattoo is a perfect example of the magical realism and surrealist work done by Kahlo.
The Van Gogh And Frida Kahlo Tattoo
What happens when you put together two maestros of the art world in a single piece? You get this stunning Frida Kahlo and Van Gogh tattoo that is an absolute treat for tattoo enthusiasts. Both Kahlo and Frida shared an apathy towards life and their artwork chronicles that pain. Get this Frida Kahlo tattoo if you are an avid fan of Kahlo or Gogh or both.
Frida Kahlo is celebrated throughout the world as an artist and political activist whose Mexican revolutionary tattoos and portrait tattoo ideas take direct inspiration from the indigenous culture of her country. Judging by her popularity, it is safe to say that Frida Kahlo tattoos are here to stay for a while. Get these tattoos if you are a fan of her or wish to pay homage to your roots. As always, choose the tattoo that goes with your fashion and personality. Go for an artist known for his expertise and experience to save yourself from future skin issues. Happy inking!
Feature Image from Pinterest – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo
What is the meaning behind Frida Kahlo’s tattoos?
Frida Kahlo’s tattoos have deep personal meaning for her and a great significance for Mexican culture. She believed that tattoos were part of her identity, so she saw them as a way to express herself and connect with her heritage. Her most iconic tattoo is the two monkeys on her upper back, which represent loyalty, strength and wisdom. Other tattoos include a Mexican symbol for fire, a deer and cactus, which represent her homeland, and an eagle and snake which are popular Mexican symbols of luck and protection. She also had a sun tattooed on her right thigh to honour the Aztecs. All of these tattoos combined tell the story of Frida’s heritage and allow her to proudly wear her identity and beliefs on her body.
