Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism

Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection explores the Mexican modernism movement through more than 150 artworks.

Featuring paintings and photographs by internationally celebrated artists Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Lola Álvarez Bravo, Gunther Gerzso, María Izquierdo, Carlos Mérida, and others, the exhibition takes a closer look at the role that art, artists, and their supporters played in the emergence of national identity and creative spirit after the Mexican Revolution ended in 1920.

Frida and Diego

Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera are often credited as having played a crucial role in establishing a Mexican avant-garde. Their body of work often incorporated portrayals of mexicanidad, an identity born of Mexico’s ancient cultures and its colonial past that projected a visionary future. The exhibition will showcase 13 works by Diego, including his 1943 painting Calla Lilly Vendor. In addition, the exhibition will explore his famous murals that incorporated social and political messages aimed at reunifying Mexicans after the revolution.

The exhibition will include more than 20 of Frida’s paintings and drawings inspired by personal experience, Mexican folk art, and a world view that embraced contradictions, often called magical realism. Of these works, seven are self-portraits, including her 1943 painting Diego on my Mind.

Mexican Modernist Contemporaries

This exhibition also covers the topic of important women artists during this period. For example, visitors will see María Izquierdo’s 1946 Naturaleza viva, which features a variety of still-life fruits, vegetables, and a conch shell, symbolic of Mexico’s authentic beauty and fresh goods that are abundant across the country.

The shift in Mexico’s post-war modernism movement also will be demonstrated through artworks such as Carlos Mérida’s vibrant and bold 1959 painting titled Festival of the Birds, which uses figurative, surreal, and geometric styles to depict a flock of birds.

The Gelman Collection

Most of the works on view will be from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection. Jacques and Natasha assembled a robust collection of Mexican modernist artworks by collecting primarily from friends, such as Frida and Diego, who completed commissioned paintings for the family.

Join curator Rebecca Hart and interpretive specialist Ann Lambson as they share highlights from Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection, on view through January 24, 2021.

Join Claudia Moran, director of Museo de las Americas, and Laura Almeida, curatorial fellow at the Denver Art Museum, as they discuss the role of women in the Mexican Modernism art movement and more broadly in Mexico’s culture during that time.

In Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism, Denver artists Emanuel Martinez and Jolt discuss Chicano culture and identity, and how art can serve as the voice of the people.

The Mexico City-based design firm Esrawe + Cadena has collaborated with the Denver Art Museum on numerous projects. In this video curator Rebecca Hart and museum educator Ann Lambson interview Héctor Esrawe and Ignacio Cadena about collaborating on the design for Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism.

Frida Kahlo from the waist up with a monkey sitting on her arm — Frida Kahlo, *Self-Portrait with Monkeys*, 1943. Oil on canvas. The Vergel Foundation and MondoMostre in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (INBAL). © 2020 Banco de México Diego Rivera Frida Kahlo Museums Trust, Mexico, D.F. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photo by Gerardo Suter.

Frida Kahlo covered in a white and light pink dress, so much so that only her head is peaking through — Frida Kahlo, *Diego on my Mind*, 1943. Oil on Masonite; 29.9 x 24 in. (76 x 61 cm). The Vergel Foundation and MondoMostre in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (INBAL). © 2020 Banco de Mexico Diego Rivera Frida Kahlo Museums Trust, Mexico, D.F./ Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photo by Gerardo Suter.

Frida Kahlo from the neck up, wearing a prominent gray beaded necklace — Frida Kahlo, *Self-Portrait with Necklace*, 1933. Oil on metal; 13.8 x 11.4 in. (35 x 29 cm). The Vergel Foundation and MondoMostre in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (INBAL). © 2020 Banco de Mexico Diego Rivera Frida Kahlo Museums Trust, Mexico, D.F./ Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photo by Gerardo Suter.

Two women kneeling before a large basket of overflowing lillies — Diego Rivera, *Calla Lilly Vendor*, 1943. Oil on Masonite; 59.1 x 47.2 in. (150 x 120 cm). The Vergel Foundation and MondoMostre in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (INBAL). © 2020 Banco de Mexico Diego Rivera Frida Kahlo Museums Trust, Mexico, D.F./ Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photo by Gerardo Suter.

Two young kids playing with toys in a field of giant sunflowers — Diego Rivera, *Sunflowers*, 1943. Oil on canvas; 35.4 x 51.2 in. (90 x 130 cm). The Vergel Foundation and MondoMostre in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (INBAL). © 2020 Banco de Mexico Diego Rivera Frida Kahlo Museums Trust, Mexico, D.F./ Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photo by Gerardo Suter.

A woman holding her outstretched child in front of a man dressed in all white — Diego Rivera, *The Healer*, 1943. Gouache on paper; 18.5 x 24 in. (47 x 61 cm). The Vergel Foundation and MondoMostre in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (INBAL). © 2020 Banco de Mexico Diego Rivera Frida Kahlo Museums Trust, Mexico, D.F./ Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photo by Gerardo Suter.

A woman in a white wedding dress sitting with her arms folded and with red roses in her hair — María Izquierdo, *Bride from Papantla*, 1944. Oil on canvas; 49.2 x 38.4 in. (125 x 100 cm). The Vergel Foundation and MondoMostre in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (INBAL). © Estate of María Izquierdo. Photo by Gerardo Suter.

A picnic of watermelon, apples, and other fruit against a landscape backdrop — María Izquierdo, *Naturaleza viva*, 1946. Oil on canvas; 23.2 x 27.9 in. (125 x 100 cm). The Vergel Foundation and MondoMostre in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (INBAL). © Estate of María Izquierdo. Photo by Gerardo Suter.

Abstract geometric figure of birds in red, black, and yellow — Carlos Mérida, *Festival of the Birds*, 1959. Polished board; 19.7 x 15.7 in. (50 x 40 cm). The Vergel Foundation and MondoMostre in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (INBAL). © 2020 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / SOMAAP, Mexico City. Photo by Gerardo Suter.

Abstract black and deep red geometric shapes against an off-white background — Carlos Mérida, *Variation of an Old Theme*, 1960. Oil on canvas. The Vergel Foundation and MondoMostre in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (INBAL). © 2020 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / SOMAAP, Mexico City. Photo by Gerardo Suter.

Abstract painting of a slender figure next to a tower of red geometric shapes — Gunther Gerzso, *Portrait of Mr. Jacques Gelman*, 1957. Oil on canvas; 28.3 x 23.6 in. (72 x 60 cm). The Vergel Foundation and MondoMostre in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (INBAL). © 2020 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / SOMAAP, Mexico City. Photo by Gerardo Suter.

Blond-haired Natasha Gelman posing for a portrait in an elegant lavender-colored dress — David Alfaro Siqueiros, *Portrait of Mrs. Natasha Gelman*, 1950. Oil on canvas; 47.2 x 39.4 in. (120 x 100 cm). The Vergel Foundation and MondoMostre in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (INBAL). © 2020 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/SOMAAP, Mexico City. Photo by Gerardo Suter.

Black-and-white photograph of Frida Kahlo painting while Diego Rivera watches over her shoulder — Bernard Silberstein, *Frida Paints Self-Portrait while Diego Watches*, 1940. Gelatin silver print; 17 x 14 in. (43.2 x 35.6 cm). The Vergel Foundation and MondoMostre in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (INBAL). © Bernard G. Silberstein, FPSA,FRPS, courtesy of Throckmorton Fine Art, New York City.

Black and white photograph of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo in side-by-side embrace — Acme Photo, Diego and Frida in New York following destruction of Rivera’s *Mural Man At The Crossroads*, 1933. Gelatin silver print; 9 x 7 in. (22.9 x 17.8 cm). The Vergel Foundation and MondoMostre in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (INBAL). Courtesy of Throckmorton Fine Art, New York City

Exhibition Resources

Abstract red, yellow, and black flock of birds.

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Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection is organized by the Vergel Foundation and MondoMostre in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (INBAL).

The Denver Art Museum exhibition is generously supported by John and Sandra Fox, the Birnbaum Social Discourse Project, and Craig Ponzio.

Additional funding is provided by the Aegon Transamerica Foundation, Lisë Gander and Andy Main, Lauren and Geoff Smart, Xcel Energy, the Kristin and Charles Lohmiller Exhibitions Fund, the Fine Arts Foundation, the donors to the Annual Fund Leadership Campaign, and the residents who support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). Promotional support is provided by 5280 Magazine and CBS4.