An exhibition in Bellinzona on the life of Frida Kahlo as seen through the eyes of Lucienne Bloch

“I hate you.” These were Frida Kahlo ’s first words to Lucienne Bloch in 1931, during the party at MOMA in New York organized for the major Diego Rivera retrospective. Rivera, a celebrated Mexican muralist, was the star of the evening; Frida, then a young wife and emerging artist, occupied a marginal role. Lucienne, a multifaceted artist, spent much of the event alongside Rivera, discussing painting techniques, particularly fresco painting, which she had studied in Italy.

That phrase thick with jealousy, uttered by Frida, could not have anticipated fate: Lucienne would become one of the Mexican artist’s most intimate and trusted friends. A relationship evidenced by the many photographs that make up the core of the exhibition Inside the life of Frida Kahlo, which can be visited at Castel Grande in Bellinzona, Switzerland, from Nov. 21, 2024 to Jan. 26, 2025.

A deep bond

What initially seemed like a potential rivalry turned into an extraordinary relationship. Lucienne Bloch was not only an assistant to Diego Rivera, with whom she shared political and artistic ideals, but also a fundamental presence in Frida’s life. She was close to her at key moments: when Frida miscarried, when she lost her mother, when she faced Rivera’s devastating betrayal with her sister Cristina. Lucienne was also by Frida’s side in her moments of glory, such as during her first solo exhibition at the Julien Levy Gallery in New York.

Lucienne’s photographs capture the most authentic essence of Frida: an icon of feminism, a rebellious and independent woman, but also vulnerable and deeply human.

Lucienne and Diego Rivera shared an ideal: to create “art for the people,” accessible and understandable. This principle also guided Frida, whose painting, although imbued with personal and dreamlike elements, carried a strong social and political component. The friendship between the two artists developed in a context of cultural and political ferment: between revolutionary Mexico and the New Deal United States, their lives became intertwined with the history of the 20th century.

The exhibition: a journey into Frida’s universe.

The exhibition, through Lucienne Bloch’s original photographs, aims to offer an intimate look at Frida Kahlo’s life. It does not merely celebrate her iconic figure, but delves into the historical and social context in which she lived, her relationship with Diego Rivera, and her role as a symbol of female emancipation.

Lucienne Bloch, with her lens, captured moments of spontaneity and authenticity-Frida in her everyday life, in her melancholy smiles and in her moments of strength. These shots, far from the official images, reveal a truer Frida, one that emerges only in the bond of deep friendship between two free and determined women.

Today, seventy years after her death, Frida Kahlo continues to inspire generations. Her life, marked by physical pain, tormented love and a passion for art, remains an example of resilience and independence. By also celebrating the figure of Lucienne Bloch, the exhibition underscores the importance of mutual support among women at a time when personal affirmation was a constant challenge. This photographic journey is not only a tribute to friendship and art, but also a reflection on the role of women in culture and society, then and now. Frida and Lucienne teach that, through art and solidarity, it is possible to leave an everlasting imprint.

The exhibition is presented in Italian and English.

Audioguide in Italian and English included in the price, downloadable on site.

For all information, you can visit the event’s official website.

An exhibition in Bellinzona on the life of Frida Kahlo as seen through the eyes of Lucienne Bloch

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