Chapter 21, Portraits of a Marriage and Chapter 22, Naturaleza Viva: Alive Still Life Summary and Analysis

Rivera and Kahlo would later be seen by friends as "sacred monsters" enacting in a marriage together. They had an unusual definition of marriage and their mutual autonomy of each other was atypical of most conventional marriages. There were plenty of battles with bitter separations and consequent reconciliations. Kahlo continued to paint the changing landscape of their marriage along with her self-portraits.

The success of the marriage depended on their humor, social conscience, strong affinity for Mexicanism, intelligence and bohemian ways. However, they often lived apart with both having affairs with other individuals. Kahlo would even tease and some say, enjoy hearing about Rivera's different conquests. She was no passive flower, though, as she had many casual connections of...