Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism

From the Collection of Jacques and Natasha Gelman

July 6 – September 11, 2022

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Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism tells the story of two of the 20th century’s most iconic artists, their tumultuous love affair, and their shared aim of rebuilding a vibrant national identity in post-revolution Mexico. As part of this effort, both artists explored and promoted the native flora, fauna, Indigenous cultures, and history of their country and regularly incorporated these elements in their artwork. This exhibition situates their work within the larger landscape of artists, writers, and activists in mid-century Mexico known as the Mexican avant-garde, including Lola ÁlvarezBravo, Gunther Gerzso, María Izquierdo, and Rufino Tamayo. These works are part of the rarely seen private collection of  Jacques and Natasha Gelman, who built their collection as friends and patrons of these artists while living in Mexico City for more than 50 years.

With renowned paintings, drawings, and collages by Kahlo and Rivera along with more than 100 photographs of their lives, Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism offers a deep exploration of the real people behind this work—and how their personas and their artistic practice continue to resonate with audiences today.

The Exhibition is organized by the Vergel Foundation and MondoMostre in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (INBAL)