Frida Kahlo:
Notas Sobre una Vida
Notes on a Life

Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution
Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month 2001

Frida Kahlo
in the Emmy Lou Packard Papers

Painter, printmaker and muralist Emmy Lou Packard (1914-1998) worked as Diego Rivera's assistant in the United States and lived in Mexico with the Riveras early in her career. Packard documented their warm friendship and her impressions of Mexico through letters written home and candid photographs taken of the couple. Her papers include photographs of Kahlo posing in the backyard of her famous "Blue House" (now the Frida Kahlo Memorial Museum in Coyoacán, Mexico) where Kahlo was born, maintained a studio, and spent the last days of her life. Also found are letters written to Packard from Kahlo.

Manila envelope with handwritten note from Frida Kahlo to Diego Rivera, 1940. Letter. 29 x 13 cm. Emmy Lou Packard papers, [ca. 1940-1986]. Archives of American Art.

Frida Kahlo to Emmy Lou Packard, 1940 Oct. 24. Letter. 20 x 15 cm. Emmy Lou Packard papers, [ca. 1940-1986]. Archives of American Art.

Frida Kahlo to Emmy Lou Packard, 1941 Dec. 17. Telegram. 15 x 21 cm. Emmy Lou Packard papers, [ca. 1940-1986]. Archives of American Art.

Frida Kahlo to Emmy Lou Packard in Spanish, 1941 Dec. 15. Letter. 28 x 22 cm. Emmy Lou Packard papers, [ca. 1940-1986]. Archives of American Art.