The rich illustrated history of a brief but decisive meeting in Paris between Frida Kahlo and Mary Reynolds, two prominent figures of the Surrealist movement.

In February 1939, while visiting Paris at the invitation of writer André Breton, the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (1907–1954) fell ill and recovered at the home of American immigrant Mary Reynolds (1891–1950), an innovative bookbinder and collector of surrealist art books, as well as a companion of Marcel Duchamp. This book explores the story of the connection between Kahlo and Reynolds and its influence on their work, even after their friendship ended.

The intense meeting between Kahlo and Reynolds unfolds in this volume through the artworks they created, Reynolds' extensive surrealist library, and Kahlo’s letters to her lover, American photographer Nicolas Muray, in which she describes her time in Paris. Included in this study are Kahlo’s paintings and sketches, Reynolds' book selections, photographs of Kahlo by Muray, artist portrayals of Reynolds in Paris, and a selection of correspondence between the two women recounting their formative experience together.

Distributed for the Art Institute of Chicago.

The exhibition is scheduled to take place at the Art Institute of Chicago from March 29 to July 13, 2025.

Pages: 112, Year of Publication: 0921, Dimensions: 21.6x21.6cm.