A Surrealist artist of world-wide renown, Frida Kahlo was born in Mexico City in 1907. At the age of 18 she was injured in a bus accident, suffering a broken spinal column, collarbone, pelvis, several ribs, as well as 11 fractures in her right leg, and a dislocated foot. Through nearly 30 surgeries and a fierce determination to survive, Kahlo was eventually able to walk again, but for the rest of her life she continued to suffer pain from her injuries.
In 1928 Kahlo met famed Mexican muralist Diego Rivera, and their ensuing marriage fueled the artistic careers of both. Kahlo used her canvases as emotional expressions of physical pain, fear, anger, and hurt over her husband's infidelities. Largely autobiographical, the originality, emotion, and energy of her work were highly praised by artists, writers, and political figures throughout the world. Kahlo died in 1954.
The stamp was issued in Phoenix, Arizona, on June 21, 2001. The stamp, designed by Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, Arizona, went on sale nationwide June 22, 2001. The stamp art features a Frida Kahlo self-portrait painted in 1933 with oil paints on metal. The color photograph of Frida Kahlo on the selvage is a carbro print by the renowned portrait photographer Nickolas Muray.
Ashton-Potter (USA), Ltd., printed 55 million stamps in the offset process with microprinting "USPS."
