Diego Rivera House Museum
Mexico’s most famous artist, Diego Rivera, was born in Guanajuato in 1886. His family’s house is now the Museo Casa Diego Rivera, one of the most noteworthy attractions in Guanajuato.
On the ground floor of the museum, the family’s living spaces were recreated in colonial style, with terra cotta floors, beamed ceilings, period furniture, and family portraits. His parents were well-to-do, but not wealthy, and their home was comfortable but not large or ostentatious. Rivera lived in this house until age six. At age three, the boy began drawing on the walls, so his parents covered the walls with paper and canvas. Was it to contain the mess or to encourage his creativity? I’m guessing it was both!
The next two floors of the museum held an impressive collection of Rivera’s work. Although he is most famous for his monumental frescoes, he produced numerous easel paintings during his academic life and early career. Notable works on display at this museum included:
Vivid watercolors in ancient Maya style from Rivera’s illustrated Popol Vuh, the sacred narrative of the Quiché-Maya people
Line drawings telling the story of the eruption of Paricutín in comic strip fashion
An elegantly simple line painting that was, an early version of The Flower Vendor, which Cary Grant donated to the Norton Simon Museum in 1955
Cubist paintings from Rivera’s years in Paris, when he was still on good terms with Pablo Picasso
A 7-foot-tall study for Man at the Crossroads, the infamous mural destroyed by Nelson Rockefeller
Nude drawings of Frida Kahlo and two of his other wives
Alas, we were not permitted to take photos in this part of the museum, and since the works are generally not permitted to travel outside Mexico, I couldn’t find images on the Internet. I’ll have to rely on memory to enjoy them again.
I was allowed to take photos in a special exhibit gallery. This room was dedicated to Frida Kahlo, the noted Mexican artist who was also Rivera’s third wife (of four). There were photographs of Rivera and Kahlo, emotional letters from Kahlo referencing their turbulent marriage, and poignant photos of Kahlo in her final years.
It was fascinating to see Rivera’s early work and imagine the young man drawing inspiration from his colorful, chaotic home town of Guanajuato. I look forward to seeing Rivera’s murals when we visit Mexico City.
