Mexican Modernism at the Fundación Casa de México en España

By Virginia Carlier

Exhibition view of ‘Arte Moderno de Mexico: Blaisten Colleción’ at the Fundación Casa de México en España – Image courtesy of Virginia Carlier 

On a rainy November afternoon in usually sunny Madrid, a visit to the Fundación Casa de México en España provided me with a glimpse into the fascinating world of modern Mexican art from the mid-twentieth century. Held in Madrid’s bustling neighbourhood of Malasaña from October 2024 to February 2025, this exhibition entitled ‘Arte Moderno de Mexico: Blaisten Colleción’ celebrated the national art movement’s historically avant-garde spirit and bold artistic style. For many decades now Andrés Blaisten, a Latin American art collector and entrepreneur, has held one of the largest and most remarkable private collections of Mexican art in the world. With 64 pieces displayed in this exhibition, from the incredible 12’000 paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints held in the vast Blaisten Collection, the curatorial intent was focused on highlighting the cultural and historical debates present in Mexico’s modern art history. 

Through a diverse set of narratives, mediums and artists, this temporary display curated by Daniel Garza Usabiaga (a Mexico City-based scholar and curator) featured the radical scholarship of Margarita Nelken (a Spanish feminist writer exiled in Mexico from 1939 following the Spanish Civil War, until her death in 1968) as viewed through the art held in the Blaisten Collection. This exhibition not only showcased the evolution of local art practices but also spotlighted the global stylistic influences emerging on the fringes of Mexican Muralism in the defining years following the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920). By studying the development of national artistic themes and techniques together with Nelken’s socio-political critique from 1940 until 1968, this exhibition convincingly connected the multicultural influences present in the country’s indigenous roots, colonial past and modern identity.

Exhibition view of ‘Arte Moderno de Mexico: Blaisten Colleción’ at the Fundación Casa de México en España – Image courtesy of Virginia Carlier 

When reflecting on the cultural context of this period, one might wonder which esteemed figures of Mexican modern art were displayed in this exhibition. Those featured were none other than Diego Rivera, María Izquierdo, Dr. Atl, Alfaro Siqueiros, Rufino Tamayo, José Clemente Orozco, Saturnino Herrán, José Guadalupe Posada, amongst others. By uniting these pioneers of Mexican modern art through the lens of Nelken’s politically charged art critique, this showcase offered an innovative reading of the cultural tensions embedded in the historic fabric of Mexico’s artistic legacy. 

Additionally, the exhibition’s bold palette not only echoed the vibrant hues within the paintings but also emphasised the powerful emotions present in each of the pieces’ narratives. The choice of three primary colours (red, yellow and blue) as wall tones allowed for the curation to transcend Nelken’s academic focus, by gradually imbuing one’s experience with feelings of strength, clarity and resilience. By mirroring the canvases’ tones, the chromatic gallery sections immersed visitors into the intense emotions with which these artists confronted their Mexican heritage. This innovative framing of the Blaisten Collection rendered the multicultural origins of Mexican Modernism accessible to art enthusiasts and novices alike.

Exhibition view of ‘Arte Moderno de Mexico: Blaisten Colleción’ at the Fundación Casa de México en España – Image courtesy of Virginia Carlier 

At first glance one could think that the renowned artist Frida Kahlo would be featured in this showcase of Mexican modern art. However, Kahlo’s absence proved surprisingly refreshing as it avoided the reductive ‘female exceptionalist’ trope that has come to surround her contemporary reputation. This exhibition instead acknowledged a broader tradition of women artists within Mexico’s long-standing history by celebrating the interdisciplinary mastery and intellectual depth found within their art works. For instance, a particularly striking piece by Lola Cueto, a Mexican painter, printmaker, textile artist, puppeteer and teacher, entitled Tehuana (1926) centres its focus on the artist’s national identity and societal role in the aftermath of the Mexican Revolution (for reference see painting in third image). This depiction of a woman as a fruit vendor anchors the complex struggle of female artists negotiating their own cultural identities during a male-dominated era of radical national transformation. As foreshadowed by Nelken’s writings, this exhibition’s curatorial spirit can be characterised by its defiance of a singular narrative, instead honouring the cultural plurality that continues to shape Mexico’s modern art history.

For those who wish to discover an exhibition similar to ‘Arte Moderno de Mexico: Blaisten Colleción’, I would strongly recommend a visit to the Fundación Casa de México en España on your next Madrid escapade. Showcasing a wide array of art installations, literary conferences, musical performances and gastronomic workshops, this unique space offers an immersive experience into Mexico’s historically vibrant cultural heritage.

Exhibition view of ‘Arte Moderno de Mexico: Blaisten Colleción’ at the Fundación Casa de México en España – Image courtesy of Virginia Carlier 

Bibliography

Artealdia.com. “Mexican Modern Art according to Nelken and the Blaisten Collection,” 2024. https://www.artealdia.com/News/MEXICAN-MODERN-ART-ACCORDING-TO-NELKEN-AND-THE-BLAISTEN-COLLECTION.

Clavarino, Elena. “The Blaisten Collection Lands in Madrid.” Airmail.news. Air Mail, 2024. https://airmail.news/arts-intel/events/modern-art-from-mexico-blaisten-collection.

Latorre, Juan David. “Exhibition of Modern Art of Mexico from the Blaisten Collection.” thediplomatinspain.com, September 25, 2024. https://thediplomatinspain.com/en/2024/09/25/exposicion-de-arte-moderno-de-mexico-de-la-coleccion-blaisten/.

MoMa. “Mexican Muralism | MoMA.” The Museum of Modern Art, n.d. https://www.moma.org/collection/terms/mexican-muralism.

Osornio, Adriana. “Lola Cueto — AWARE Women Artists / Femmes Artistes.” AWARE Women artists / Femmes artistes, 2022. https://awarewomenartists.com/en/artiste/lola-cueto/.

Rappaport, Emily. “A Young Curator Shares an Insider’s View of Mexico City’s Evolving Cultural Landscape.” Artsy, February 3, 2015. https://www.artsy.net/article/editorial-a-young-curator-shares-an-insiders-view.

Wojtczak, Kate. “Beyond Frida – Amazing Modern Mexican Art Collection You Didn’t Know About: Andrés Blaisten Museum.” DailyArt Magazine, November 23, 2022. https://www.dailyartmagazine.com/blaisten-museum-interview/.