Extremely rare ALS in English, signed “Frida,” one page, 8.5 x 12.25, April 6, 1941. Letter to important New York art dealer Julien Levy. In full: “Did you forget all about me? Since the remarriage I haven’t heard a word from you! What are you doing? How is Muriel. Does Ella play her pianoforte all the time? Are you coming to this Mexico as you told me? Is your book finished? Do you like me less and less? I will never as long as I live be far from the three moons. Write to me. Will you kid?” In fine condition. Kahlo was more comfortable in her native Spanish tongue, making English autographic material uncommon.
Levy established his art gallery in New York in 1931, and became a major force in introducing and popularizing surrealism in America—among the artists represented in his gallery were Pablo Picasso, Max Ernst, Marcel Duchamp, and Salvador Dali. In 1938, Levy staged Kahlo's first-ever solo exhibition, with 25 of her paintings put on display. Despite the success of the show—she sold half of the works exhibited—Kahlo's art remained in relative obscurity until after her death, often remembered only as Diego Rivera's wife. This was a tumultuous marriage—both had irritable temperaments and numerous extramarital affairs—and they divorced in November 1939. Levy had been one of Kahlo's lovers, and perhaps he desired to further the relationship. However, Rivera and Kahlo remarried in December 1940, just a few months before she wrote this letter—clearly she was concerned that the renewed relationship had negatively affected Levy's opinion of her. A wonderful letter to the most important patron in her artistic career.
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