Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Mexican Modernism at the Norton Museum of Art
22 October 2021
"Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Mexican Modernism from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection" - running from Oct 23, 2021 to Feb 6, 2022 is the largest grouping of works by Kahlo and Rivera ever to be on view in Portland. It is the museum's largest tribute to Mexican modernism to date, as well as the largest grouping of works by Kahlo and Rivera ever on display.
Despite its importance in the art world, exhibit organizer Ellen Roberts remarked that Mexican modernism has never been a focus of the Norton, which was created 80 years ago.
One of Kahlo's paintings was on display at the Norton in the 1953 exhibition "Mexican Paintings: A Group of Twelve," which took place a year before her death. However, the museum claims that no other works by Kahlo have been on display there in over 70 years.
Rivera's work is in the Norton's collection, thus it was on display as recently as 2019, according to Roberts.
The show features 23 Kahlo paintings, including 8 self-portraits, and 11 Rivera works. Jacques and Natasha Gelman collected more than 150 works, including paintings and works on paper. The exhibit is showing works from artists in the couple's orbit as well as images of them.
Clothing influenced by Kahlo's unique style, which was a reflection of her mixed heritage, are also on display, according to Roberts. Kahlo was born to a German father and a Mexican mother with indigenous ancestry.
"The show is about works, but it's also about the artists' interactions with their broader circle," Roberts explained., beeing the two artists "at the center of the Mexico's post-revolution renaissance movement".
Programming Director Glenn Roberts said there are more than 30 programs connected with the Kahlo-Diego exhibition.
"The Norton is back!" declared Director Ghislain d’Humières on Wednesday as the museum unveiled its first major exhibit of the season.
More info about the exhibition here.
