Background
Kahlo was born in Pforzheim, Grand Duchy of Baden, German Empire (now in Baden-Württemberg, Germany), the son of jeweller Jakob Heinrich Kahlo and Henriette Kaufmann.
Kahlo was born in Pforzheim, Grand Duchy of Baden, German Empire (now in Baden-Württemberg, Germany), the son of jeweller Jakob Heinrich Kahlo and Henriette Kaufmann.
He photographically documented important architectural works, churches, streets, landmarks, as well as industries and companies in Mexico at the beginning of the 20th century. Meaning that his work has not only artistic value but also historical and documental importance. Frida Kahlo maintained that he was of Hungarian Jewish descent.
One recent book, Fridas Vater: Der Fotograf Guillermo Kahlo by Gaby Franger and Rainer Huhle, traced Kahlo"s genealogy, and stated that "despite the legend propagated by Frida," Guillermo did not have Jewish Hungarian roots, but was born to Lutheran parents who "came from families accommodated in Frankfurt and Pforzheim."
He attended the University of Nuremberg.
In Mexico, Wilhelm adopted the Spanish equivalent of his name "Guillermo". In July 1894 he solicited Mexican citizenship.
Kahlo"s earliest known photograph is from 1897. His first project with Secretary of Finance José Yves Limantour was in 1900.
Kahlo usually used large glass plates that measured 8in x 10in to 11in x 14in.
In 1901 he set up a photographic studio, working for El Mundo Ilustrado and Semanario 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.
Kahlo was played by Roger Rees in the film Frida.