Letter to Frida Rivera, January 12, 1939

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Dear Frida,

We here were all very happy, and even proud, of your success in New York, because we consider you as an artistic ambassador not only from San Angel, but also from Coyoacan. Even Bill Lander, objective representative of the American press, informed us that, according to press notices, you had a genuine success in the States. Our heartiest congratulations.

Then we heard that you were ill, even seriously so. Yesterday Van told us that you were now convalescent and possibly would go to France within a short time. We all hope that in France you will find the same success as was yours in the States.

However, before you leave the New Continent I wish to communicate to you some complications with Diego, which are very painful to me and to Natalia and to the whole household.

It is very difficult for me to find out the real source of Diego's discontent. Twice I tried to provoke a frank discussion on the matter, but he was very general in his answers. The only thing I could extract from him was his indignation at my reluctance to recognize those characteristics in him which would make for a good revolutionary functionary. I insisted that he should never accept a bureaucratic position in the organization, because a "secretary" who never writes, never answers letters, never comes to meetings on time and always makes the opposite of the common decision is not a good secretary. And I ask you, why should Diego be a "secretary"? That he is an authentic revolutionary needs no proof; but he is a revolutionary multiplied by a great artist and it is even this "multiplication" which makes him absolutely unfit for routine work in the party. I am certain that in the time of a revolutionary tide he would be invaluable, thanks to his passion, courage, and imagination. In peacetime he is precious on a revolutionary staff which he can inspire by his initiative and ardor. But for routine organizational work, our friend Diego is absolutely unfit.

It seemed as though he had the ambition of proving to me that he was the best bureaucrat in the world and that he had become a great painter only by chance. He began a purely personal activity in the Casa del Pueblo and the CGT and concealed this activity from me and from. the other comrades. I was very much alarmed, because I was sure that this personal venture could not end without disagreeable results for the Fourth International and for Diego personally. I believe that it was precisely the fact that Diego "conspired" a bit against me which at the same time irritated him against me and the other comrades. It is the only sound explanation I can find.

In my eyes, the experiments with the Casa del Pueblo and the CGT were not catastrophic, but were very unhappy. The leadership of the CGT turned not to the left, but to the right, and did so in a very cynical manner; I presume that it was the cause of Diego's last explosion against me.

He wrote an absolutely inconceivable letter to Breton. The factual basis of his outburst against me is absolutely false, a pure product of Diego's imagination (I shall ask Van to send you a copy of his refutation of Diego's "grievances"). Diego now says that it is not important. Of course it is not important in itself, but it is an infallible symptom of his genuine mood. He told Van that even if the smaller facts were not correct, the larger fact remains true, namely that I wish to rid myself of Diego. As "proof" Diego says that I refused to hear a reading of his article on art. Dear Frida, it is absolutely incredible that one finds it necessary to defend himself against such accusations.

Unexpectedly, Diego brought his article on art to a meeting of friends at my house and proposed to read it immediately so that we could give our opinions on it. I remarked that I understood Spanish only when I could have the manuscript before me and that if I only heard it, at least half was lost. That is entirely true. In order to voice an opinion on such an important matter I should have to study the article with a pencil in hand. Then I could propose criticism, changes, or amendments without provoking a general discussion about heaven and hell. It was that kind of collaboration we had when Diego wrote for Las Novedades. It was even decided, upon my suggestion, that copies of every article should be sent to all interested friends, but Diego forgets the common decisions immediately and then he looks for the most fantastic explanations of the most simple things.

The idea of my wanting to be rid of Diego is so incredible, so absurd, permit me to say, so mad, that I can only shrug my shoulders helplessly. During these months we passed many hours with Natalia in discussing what we could do to clear the atmosphere and to reestablish the old, friendly relationship. Once we visited Diego together with Natalia and passed a very, very good hour with him. Then I visited him alone (in spite of his resistance) and provoked a discussion. After each visit I had the impression that the matter was definitely settled, but the next day it began again and seemed worse than ever.

A few days ago Diego resigned from the Fourth International. I hope that the resignation will not be accepted. For my part, I will do everything possible to settle at least the political matter, even if I am not successful in settling the personal question. However, I believe your help is essential in this crisis. Diego's break with us would signify not only a heavy blow to the Fourth International, but- I am afraid to say it — would mean the moral death of Diego himself. Apart from the Fourth International and its sympathizers I doubt whether he would be able to find a milieu of understanding and sympathy, not only as an artist but as a revolutionist and as a person.

Now, dear Frida, you know the situation here. I cannot believe that it is hopeless. In any case, I would be the last to abandon the effort to reestablish the political and personal friendship and I sincerely hope that you will collaborate with me in that direction.

Natalia and I wish you the best of health and artistic success and we embrace you as our good and true friend.