Frida Kahlo Museum

Frida Kahlo de Rivera (aka Frida Kahlo) is the famous Mexican artist we’ve all grown to love for her iconic portraits. Visiting the Frida Kahlo Museum in Mexico City was an absolute non-negotiable when visiting the city for Zonamaco Art Fair.

One mistake I made was not purchasing tickets online beforehand..so I had to wait for an hour in line (so worth it). You can get them here. 

However, maybe you’ll get lucky and the woman with the cart of fresh coconuts will be there (like for the crowd around me), and you can stay hydrated while you wait.

Not only is this the very place where Frida Kahlo was born, but it's also where she grew up and later lived with her (also famous) husband, artist Diego Rivera.

The Museum has many parts which showcase not only famous works by the two artists (above and below), but their actual living spaces. This was my favorite part...seeing where these art-world megastars actually slept, ate, and created the works we see in the pages of history books today.

The Kitchen

Every part of this house seems to be a tribute to the two artists (Diego and Frida). See the adorable detailing of their names above the cooking areas in the kitchen (above).

The Stairwell

As you could expect in any artist home...paintings adorn every single wall possible.

Frida Kahlo's Bedroom

Frida's bedroom is an interesting room not only because it gives you a look into her personal dwelling (and belongings), but because it showcases how she created some of her famous portraits.

Notice the mirror above the bed.

She would lay in bed and use the mirror to see her reflection and paint it.

Sound strange? Maybe you forgot Frida became paralyzed as a child when she contracted the polio virus, so her mobility was limited.

Above and below are many of Frida's personal possessions. Remember she lived in this home from when she was a child all through adulthood... so that explains the presence of so many toys, and my favorite, this incredible dollhouse created within the cabinet above.

The Studio

Any artist's studio is fascinanting to tour...to get even a glipse of the method behind the madness, the craft behind the creation.

The Courtyard

It's almost indisputable that the outside of Frida and Diego's house is as beautiful as the interior. I can almost see them wandering the courtyard to recharge and find inspiration.

Another sweet surprise was this poem (above) by Patti Smith. Why is it there? 

"On May 4th, 2012 a press conference for Patti Smith’s first show in Mexico was held at “La Casa Azul”, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera’s residence located in Coyoacán (México City). Patti performed a couple of songs in their honor and left a beautiful poem for Frida, inspired on a butterfly collection that friend and architect Isamu Noguchi gave her many years ago, which hangs on the ceiling of Frida’s night bed.." - The Geneology of Style

As you can see...the Frida Kahlo Museum is also commonly referred to as 'The Blue House' - because of it's vibrant, cobalt blue walls.

Have you been? What were your favorite parts? Did you pick up two Frida Kahlo mugs as I did in the gift shop? Let me know at contact@marylynnbuchanan.com.

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