Journal
Frida Kahlo | Two Books, Two Different Experiences
Frida Kahlo: 45th Edition vs. The Complete Paintings XXL Edition
"Here is your own Kahlo museum" — The Times
TASCHEN's two Frida Kahlo books in our online bookshop are among the most substantial and beautifully produced introductions to her work that we've seen. Both bring together Kahlo's paintings with rare photographs, diary pages, and an illustrated biography. The biggest difference is the scale, presence, and the addition of personal letters, it's a phenomenal reading experience!
Which one is right for you?
The 45th Edition
6.1 x 8.5 IN | 480 Pages | Hardcover
This is the more portable of the two. At 6.1 x 8.5 inches, 480 pages, and priced at $30, it is compact enough to handle easily while offering a rich visual and biographical experience. An excellent gift for new and longtime Kahlo admirers.
XXL Edition
11.4 x 15.6 IN | 624 Pages | Clothbound
This is the book we recommend gifting an avid Frida Kahlo admirer. It is a book that commands attention through size, presence, and the way it gives her work room to breathe. TASCHEN is a publisher we admire for their willingness to work at a scale few publishers would attempt. Their XXL editions are bold, beautifully considered books that make reading a tactile experience. This is the first TASCHEN XXL book we have added to our personal collection. As designers and publishers, we all-caps LOVE the scale.
At this page size, it really does become your own Kahlo museum. The custom printed shipping box (we're keeping it), binding, cloth cover, and size all contribute to the feeling that the publishing is a tribute in itself. Listed below is an example of the personal letters included in this edition.
Cover Image | Self-Portrait (Dedicated to Dr. Leo Eloesser)
The cover image on both books is titled Self-Portrait (Dedicated to Dr. Leo Eloesser), painted in 1940 and dedicated to her long-term doctor and confidant. Her enduring sense of survival and devotion are conveyed through Christian and Mexican folk symbols: a thorn necklace, flower crown, blood, a hand-shaped earring (gifted by Pablo Picasso), and a hand-written dedication banner along the bottom.
The portrait represents finding strength through her wounds, most notably from a bus accident in 1925. The Museo Frida Kahlo notes that Kahlo and Dr. Eloesser's professional relationship and friendship unfolded through letters over two decades, covering her health as well as politics, love, infidelity, maternity, music, and war.
Both editions are available now in the Art & Anthropology Press online bookshop: 45th Edition | XXL Edition
