Charles Saatchi's Great Masterpieces: Frida Kahlo's The Two Fridas and the tragic story that lies behind it

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/art/what-to-see/charles-saatchis-great-masterpieces-frida-kahlosthe-two-fridas/


It is little wonder that Hollywood turned its lenses on to the turbulent melodrama of Frida Kahlo’s life.
Had she been the invention of a screenwriter, a film studio would have considered it too overwrought a tale for the audience to suspend disbelief.
But as she herself once explained: “They thought I was a Surrealist, but I wasn’t. I never painted dreams. I painted my own reality.”
The Two Fridas was completed shortly after her divorce from the acclaimed Mexican muralist Diego Rivera. He passionately encouraged her to paint autobiographically, with works inspired by events in her life.
Diego was convinced that “she is the first woman in the history of art to treat, with absolute and uncompromising honesty, one might even say with impassive cruelty, those general and specific themes which exclusively affect women”.



The Two Fridas, 1939, Oil on canvas by Frida Kahlo Credit:  Museo de Arte Moderno, Mexico City

100 Years Ago _ Zimmermann Telegram

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/an-intercepted-letter-h7l0zlxn6

March 2, 1917

An intercepted letter

The Washington correspondent of the Associated Press, who reveals Germany’s proposal to Mexico for an alliance with Mexico and Japan against the United States, says that a copy of Herr Zimmermann’s instructions to von Eckardt was sent through Count Bernstorff and is in the possession of the United States Government. The instructions were as follows: “Berlin, Jan 19, 1917. On Feb 1 we intend to begin submarine warfare without restriction. In spite of this it is our intention to endeavour to keep the United States neutral. If this attempt is not successful, we propose an alliance on the following basis with Mexico: That we shall make war together and together make peace; we shall give general financial support, and it is understood that Mexico is to reconquer her lost territory of New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. The details are left to you for settlement. You are instructed to inform the President of Mexico of the above in the greatest confidence as soon as it is certain that there will be an outbreak of war with the United States, and suggest that the President of Mexico shall on his own initiative communicate with Japan suggesting the latter’s adherence to this plan, and at the same time offer to mediate between Germany and Japan. Please call to the attention of the President of Mexico that the employment of ruthless submarine warfare now promises to compel England to make peace in a few months. Zimmermann.”


This document has been in the hands of the Government since President Wilson severed relations with Germany. It has been kept secret while the President has been asking Congress for full authority to deal with Germany and while Congress has been hesitating. It was in the President’s hands while Herr von Bethmann Hollweg was declaring that the United States had placed an interpretation on the submarine declaration “never intended by Germany”, and that Germany had promoted and honoured friendly relations with the United States “as a heritage from Frederick the Great”.


Today the Council of National Defence, created by Act of Congress, has issued an appeal to all Americans to show consideration to aliens in this country “if untoward events should come upon us.”