A new museum dedicated to artist Frida Kahlo is slated to open in Mexico City‘s Coyoacán district in September.
Dubbed Museo Casa Kahlo, the institution will be housed at Casa Roja, a residence that was purchased by the painter’s parents and later passed down to her and her sisters.
The building stands adjacent to Casa Azul, the bright blue family home where Kahlo was raised and later lived with husband Diego Rivera. Casa Azul is now preserved as the Museo Frida Kahlo.
A cynic might wonder whether the new facility, at Casa Roja, is merely another attempt to capitalize on Kahlo’s icon status—exemplified by the many recent Frida-themed exhibitions (some of them seemingly beguiled more by Kahlo’s fame than her work) that have toured internationally. Not to mention the mountain of unibrowed merch the artist has inspired.
But any serious art lovers concerned about Casa Roja becoming little more than a staging ground for selfies can perhaps take heart from knowing that the new museum has the backing of the painter’s family.
In fact, the building was donated by the artist’s grandniece and closest living relative, Mara Romeo Kahlo, whose grandmother, Cristina, was Frida’s sister—and a previous resident of Casa Roja.
“This is a dream long held by our family,” Romeo Kahlo said in a statement. “Frida’s legacy belongs to the world, but it begins here—on this land, in these homes, and in the culture that shaped her. Museo Casa Kahlo will allow us to tell new stories, share family secrets, host new voices, and build a future that honors her spirit.”
How Mexico City’s New Frida Kahlo Museum Differs from Other Exhibits
The new museum aims to avoid rehashing what’s covered at Casa Azul, where Kahlo’s life with fellow artist Rivera is the centerpiece.
Instead, the focus at Museo Casa Kahlo is the artist’s origins—her childhood, family life, and early inspirations, such as the photography of her father.
Items on display will include letters, toys, photos, and, of course, art—both early efforts and mature works—as well as other objects, according to Smithsonian magazine.
And in keeping with the goals of Fundación Kahlo, the New York City–based nonprofit that will run the museum, there will be temporary exhibits onsite that “preserve Frida’s legacy and promote Mexican, Indigenous, and Latin American art and culture” via shows highlighting contemporary works and other programs.
Museo Casa Kahlo is expected to open to the public September 27. Ticket prices haven’t been announced yet.
Aside from Casa Azul, another good place in Mexico City to see Frida Kahlo’s work is the Museo de Arte Moderno in Chapultepec Park.
A good place to see a Frida Kahlo bobblehead is pretty much anywhere.