Guillermo Kahlo | |
|---|---|
 Guillermo Kahlo in 1920 | |
| Born | Carl Wilhelm Kahlo 26 October 1871 |
| Died | 14 April 1941(1941-04-14) (aged 69) |
| Nationality | Mexican |
| Spouses |
|
| Children | 7, includingFrida Kahlo andCristina Kahlo |
Guillermo Kahlo (bornCarl Wilhelm Kahlo; 26 October 1871 – 14 April 1941) was a German-born Mexican-naturalizedphotographer. He photographically documented important architectural works, churches, streets, landmarks, as well as industries and companies in Mexico at the beginning of the 20th century; because of this, his work has not only artistic value but also historical and documental importance. He was the father of painterFrida Kahlo.
Kahlo was born inPforzheim,Grand Duchy of Baden,German Empire (now inBaden-Württemberg, Germany), the son of Jewish jeweller Jakob Heinrich Kahlo and Henriette Kaufmann.[1] His daughter,Frida Kahlo, maintained that he was of Hungarian-Jewish descent.[1] A 2005 book[2] by Gaby Franger and Rainer Huhle traced Kahlo's genealogy, and stated that "despite the legend propagated by Frida," Guillermo had notJewish Hungarian roots, but was born toLutheran parents who "came from families accommodated inFrankfurt and Pforzheim."[3]
He attended the University ofNuremberg. His father paid him to travel toMexico in 1891 as he did not get along with his stepmother. In Mexico, Wilhelm adopted the Spanish equivalent of his name – "Guillermo." In July 1894, he applied for Mexican citizenship.[4]
Kahlo's earliest known photograph is from 1897.[4] His first project with Secretary of FinanceJosé Yves Limantour was in 1900.[4] Kahlo usually used largeglass plates that measured 8in x 10in to 11in x 14in.[4]
In 1901, he set up a photographic studio, working forEl Mundo Ilustrado andSemanario Ilustrado. He was commissioned by the government to do architectural photographs, probably his best work. He also took photographs of churches with other photographers for a six-volume survey in the 1920s.[citation needed]José Vasconcelos published Kahlo's work involving the churches in 1923 through Mexico's Ministry of Education.[5]
Kahlo married Mexican-born María de los Dolores Eleuteria Clotilde Cardeña Espino in August, 1893.[6] The night she died giving birth to their third child, he asked Antonio Calderón for his daughter Matilde's hand in marriage. After the marriage, Kahlo sent his and María's daughters away to be raised in aconvent.[citation needed]
Kahlo and Calderón were the parents of four additional children, including the painterFrida Kahlo andCristina Kahlo. Cristina was the only one who had children. Frida once commented that, in her childhood, she would sometimes be present when her father suffered fromepileptic seizures and would give him aid.[4]
Kahlo died on 14 April 1941 in Coyoacán, Mexico City.
Kahlo was played byRoger Rees in the 2002 filmFrida.
Kahlo had his portrait painted by his daughter, Frida Kahlo, in 1951, and he was included in the 1950 painting titledPortrait of Frida's Family (Family Tree).[7] Both paintings are located at theFrida Kahlo Museum.[7]
