Today in History: Frida Kahlo Debuts First Exhibition in the United States at the Julien Levy Gallery

On November 1, 1938, Frida Kahlo had her first exhibition in the United States at the Julien Levy Gallery in New York City. It was at this showing that Frida met Clare Boothe Luce and was commissioned by her to paint a beautiful portrait of the late Dorothy Donovan Hale. This commission would inspire Frida to paint one of her most renowned and haunting works, ‘El Suicidio de Dorothy Hale’.

Frida Kahlo, Featured in Time Magazine

Julien Levy Gallery Program from Frida Kahlo Exhibition

The Artistically Paralleled Lives of Dorothy Hale and Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo and Dorothy Hale Were Both Married to Artists That Profoundly Contributed to the Revival of Fresco Painting: Diego Rivera and Gardner Hale

Diego Rivera (1886 - 1957) needs no introduction. He is considered one of the greatest Mexican artist of the 20th century, along with his extraordinary wife Frida Kahlo. Among Rivera’s many contributions to the international art world is his work in fresco painting. Fresco consists of painting on fresh plaster with colors ground in water only. At an early age, Rivera studied painting throughout Europe and was inspired by the Renaissance Frescoes of Italy. He chose this demanding and difficult medium which allowed him to express his passion for history, politics and humanity in a grand scale with murals for the public.

Gardner Hale

In the late 1920s, Chicago-born Gardner Gale (1894 -1931) would not have needed an introduction. He was considered one of the youngest and foremost painters in the revival of fresco painting in America. Married to Dorothy Donovan Hale, Gardner was also known for his portrait paintings and unique interior designs. Tragically, Gardner Hale died at age 37 on December 28, 1931 in an automobile accident. Gardner and Dorothy were temporarily living in California because he had been commissioned to paint several murals throughout the state.

Gardner Hale’s father was the noted professor, William Gardner Hale, who served as the first director of the American School of Classical Studies in Rome. His mother, Harriet Swinburne Hale, was a direct descendent of the poet Swinburne.

Like Diego Rivera, Gardner Hale began painting at an early age. In his youth, Gardner was tutored in Rome due to his father’s work. He also studied in Chicago and at the Academie Julien in Paris.

'Descent from the Cross, In a chapel at Pau, France.

Hale’s work in the medium of fresco was commissioned throughout France, Italy and London, but he insisted on bringing the neglected art of true fresco to America. His famous murals were in the merchants trust building in Chicago, the famous Cloud Club in the Chrysler building in New York City and throughout affluent homes in America.

Jose´ Clemente Orozco, who never personally met Gardner Hale, expressed his deepest respect and appreciation for the young painter’s art upon Hale’s tragic and premature death.

Featured in a 1927 issue of ‘House & Garden’.
"The striking wall decorations of this bathroom are not painted in oils but executed in that great medium of the Renaissance—fresco. The dado is marbleized and finished at the tip to represent a shelf. This delightful bathtub niche is in the Paris residence of Mrs. Selma Lewisohn and was painted by Gardner Hale."

Clare Boothe Luce Said Harry Hopkins Broke Off His Relationship With Dorothy Hale--Or Did He? Myth Number Five

FDR and Harry Hopkins

“Those in the know in Washington said that FDR had ordered Harry Hopkins to end his affair with Dorothy, and to marry instead Lou Macy, a close friend of the Roosevelts, which Hopkins did. Most of the gossip columnists made it brutally clear that Dorothy had been jilted.”
Clare Boothe Luce

Dorothy Hale died on October 21, 1938. Harry Hopkins, advisor to President Franklin Roosevelt, did not meet Lou Macy until the 1940s. This was over two years after Dorothy died. Harry Hopkins did eventually marry Lou Macy, but this was long after Dorothy's death.

In her famous interview about Dorothy Hale and the Frida Kahlo painting, Clare Luce insinuated that Dorothy committed suicide because Harry Hopkins broke off their relationship. The family of Dorothy Hale never believed she intended to marry Harry Hopkins. Dorothy’s father thought it was Dorothy who ended the relationship with Hopkins. Interestingly, Dorothy was seeing another man at the time of her death.

Myra Bairstow

info@dorothyhale.com

Quotes and Passages from “Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo” by Hayden Herrera

Frida Kahlo’s Words To Clare Boothe Luce: “ I Hope The Picture Pleased You, I Tried My Best To Do What I Felt.”

I remember finding the letter from Frida Kahlo to Clare Luce in Clare’s archives at the Library of Congress. Frida’s words, “I tried my best to do what I felt” resonated deeply within me. This was pure Frida: authentic, unwavering and visceral.

Had Frida not painted her haunting depiction of Dorothy Hale, I never would have explored the enigmatic life and death of Dorothy. Had Frida painted what she was hired to do by Clare Luce - a beautiful portrait of Dorothy as a gift for the grieving mother - I never would have discovered that Dorothy’s mother was dead at the time of Dorothy’s death and that Clare Luce left disconcerting inaccuracies about Dorothy for history to record.

Frida Kahlo, however, left an eerie liberation for Dorothy Hale by memorializing a story that would one day be uncovered through her painting. It was never my intention to unearth such a provocative and controversial story. But having done so, it is my intention to share this remarkable journey that began when I first saw “El Suicidio de Dorothy Hale” by the extraordinary Frida Kahlo.

Clare Boothe Luce, Who Commissioned a Portrait of Dorothy Donovan Hale, Said She Received the Only Note Left by Dorothy Before Her Alleged Suicide— or Did She? Myth Number Two: The Suicide Note (Part One)

Clare Boothe Luce

This is the story recorded in history: Frida Kahlo’s painting, “El Suicidio de Dorothy Hale” (The Suicide of Dorothy Hale) was commissioned by Clare Boothe Luce who said she received the only note left by Dorothy Hale before her alleged suicide. Mrs. Luce gave an exclusive interview about Dorothy and the painting to renowned Frida Kahlo scholar and author, Hayden Herrera. Here is what Mrs. Luce said, “The only message she {Dorothy} had left in the apartment was a note addressed to me. She thanked me for my friendship and asked me to see that her mother, who lived in upstate New York, was notified so that arrangements could be made to have her buried in the family plot.”

As I discussed in my previous post: “Frida Kahlo’s “The Suicide of Dorothy Hale” was Commissioned as a Gift for Dorothy’s Grieving Mother — Or Was It? Myth Number One”, I researched the life and death of Dorothy Donovan Hale beyond the one interview given by Mrs. Luce. I was shocked to learn that Dorothy’s mother had died when Dorothy was sixteen years old. I would later learn, after meeting members of the Donovan family, Dorothy’s father never remarried.

The note that Mrs. Luce said Dorothy left her before allegedly committing suicide, is another puzzling myth. Dorothy’s mother was dead at the time of Dorothy’s death. This follows the same inaccurate statement that was discussed in “Myth One” when Mrs. Luce said she commissioned the painting as a gift for Dorothy’s grieving mother.

When I first spoke to members of the Donovan family, they were perplexed and frustrated that Mrs. Luce had left behind these inaccuracies about Dorothy and her mother that are now recorded in countless books, articles and websites that chronicle the painting. As Dorothy Hale’s niece said to me many times, “My Aunt Dorothy deserves the respect of correct information.”

Myra Bairstow
info@dorothyhale.com

Quotes and Passages from “Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo” by Hayden Herrera

Frida Kahlo’s “The Suicide of Dorothy Hale” was Commissioned as a Gift for Dorothy’s Grieving Mother—Or Was It? Myth Number One

This is the story recorded in history: Frida Kaho’s painting “El Suicidio de Dorothy Hale” (The Suicide of Dorothy Hale) was commissioned as a gift for Dorothy’s grieving mother. Clare Boothe Luce, who commissioned the painting, gave an exclusive interview about Dorothy Hale and the painting to renowned Frida Kahlo scholar and author, Hayden Herrera. Here is what Mrs. Luce said, “Suddenly it came to me that a portrait of Dorothy by a famous painter friend might be something her poor mother might like to have. I said so, and Kahlo thought so too. I asked the price, Kahlo told me, and I said, ‘Go ahead. Send the portrait to me when it is finished. I will then send it on to Dorothy’s mother.’

Clare Boothe Luce

Initially, I never doubted the account of Clare Boothe Luce. In fact, I was moved by the thoughtful gesture of Mrs. Luce and I admired her sensitivity. One of her dearest friends, Dorothy Hale, had allegedly committed suicide. Mrs. Luce was very kind to think of Dorothy Hale’s mother and orchestrate a memorial painting of her late daughter. I was personally saddened and shocked when I learned otherwise.

What did Dorothy's Mother Think of the Painting that Clare Commissioned?

Again, it was not that I questioned Mrs. Luce’s account. Instead, I was drawn to the painting and wanted to know more about Dorothy Hale and her friendship with Clare Luce and Frida Kahlo. I wanted to know about Dorothy’s mother and what she thought of the painting. I began to explore Dorothy’s life.

I was stunned to learn that Dorothy Hale’s mother died when Dorothy was sixteen years old.

I would later confirm that Dorothy’s father never remarried and that Dorothy’s family did not know Clare Boothe Luce.

Dispelling the Contradictions and Myths Recorded about the Life and Death of Dorothy Hale

There are an enormous number of books, articles, and web sites that discuss the painting, “El Suicidio de Dorothy Hale” (The Suicide of Dorothy Hale). Understandably, they reference Mrs. Luce’s account and have recorded that the painting was commissioned as a gift for the grieving mother of Dorothy Hale.

Now is the time to correct the inaccuracies surrounding Dorothy Hale and the painting. As I lecture and also work on a book about Dorothy Hale and the brilliant Frida Kahlo painting of her, it is a pleasure to begin sharing my research and dispelling the myths told about her. Early in my research it was important to me to find the family of Dorothy Hale and listen to their story. It has been a privileged to know members of the Donovan family. As Dorothy Hale’s very own niece wrote many years ago: “My aunt deserves the respect of correct information.”

Myra Bairstow
info@dorothyhale.com

Quotes and Passages from “Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo” by Hayden Herrera

The Suicide of Dorothy Hale - Myths & Rumors

Beginning this month, Myra Bairstow will be addressing and dispelling certain rumors and myths regarding the life and death of Dorothy Hale - and the famous Frida Kahlo painting "The Suicide of Dorothy Hale" - in several blog installments.

We encourage you to submit your comments or myths to info@dorothyhale.com or simply comment in the comment area below or post on the Official Dorothy Hale Facebook wall at facebook.com/pages/Dorothy-Hale/296072857126402. If you're question is selected, we'll notify you and post your question and answer on the Official Dorothy Hale Blog.

Watch the Final Frida Kahlo Webisode about "The Suicide of Dorothy Hale" Painting, Researched & Discussed by Myra Bairstow

Frida Kahlo's Painting "The Suicide of Dorothy Hale" Videos Part 2

Lacma Lecture: Frida Kahlo And Dorothy Hale

I would like to thank the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and especially Dr. Ilene Susan Fort for inviting me to lecture in conjunction with their current exhibition "In Wonderland:  The Surrealist Adventures of Women Artists in Mexico and the United States".  Presenting my talk, "Frida Kahlo's Portrait of Dorothy Hale:  Dreams, Dramas and Revelations", was a wonderful experience.

I appreciate the opportunity to share my research on Dorothy Hale and Frida Kahlo's painting of her, "Suicide of Dorothy Hale".  I was especially inspired by the amazing audience.  I enjoyed answering your questions and meeting so many of you after the presentation.

I will be posting video snippets from the lecture soon on The Official Dorothy Hale YouTube Channel, Facebook, web site and on this blog.

New Revelations on Frida Kahlo's Painting "The Suicide of Dorothy Hale"

Lecture to be Presented at Los Angeles County Museum of Art

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art will host a lecture by noted author and playwright, Myra Bairstow, titled “Frida Kahlo’s Portrait of Dorothy Hale: Dreams, Dramas and Revelations.” The lecture will take place on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 2 p.m., at the Bing Theatre and stems from the untold story that has unfolded during her research of Kahlo’s legendary painting of Dorothy Hale, “El Suicidio de Dorothy Hale.”

Bairstow will present groundbreaking revelations on Hale’s life and death that were discovered while researching the Kahlo painting and its background for over a decade. Until now, the only story told about “The Suicide of Dorothy Hale” was given exclusively to Kahlo biographer Hayden Herrera by Clare Boothe Luce, who commissioned the painting. The account from Luce, reprinted throughout the world in countless books, articles and on websites that chronicle the painting, is shockingly inaccurate.

The lecture will reveal never-before-seen documents, letters and photos, and Bairstow will impart stunning contradictions that raise pertinent questions regarding the alleged suicide of Hale. Questions regarding the alleged suicide note received by Luce, the White House involvement by two officials of the Roosevelt Administration as well as what admissions the family of Hale reserves regarding her death.

This lecture is made possible by the support of LACMA and will be presented in conjunction with the special exhibition “In Wonderland: The Surrealist Adventures of Women Artists in Mexico and the United States” now showing through May 6, 2012.

Myra Bairstow is a New York-based author, playwright and art curator. For nearly a decade, Bairstow has been researching the life and death of actress Dorothy Hale. For more information about her research and findings, visit the official Dorothy Hale web site at http://www.dorothyhale.com.