La Casa Azul - Frida Kahlo Museum
Centro Coyoacán, Mexico City, Mexico
I arrived in Mexico City during the evening and headed straight from the airport to my apartment in Coyoacán. I was so excited. I came with one intention: Frida Kahlo. I was looking forward to visiting her museum which was once her home, staying in her neighborhood and walking the same streets she once walked. Yes, Mexico City is the capital of Mexico and the largest metropolitan area in the country with over 21 million inhabitants currently and lots to do, which I also enjoyed and checked off. However, my intention was clear and so was the Bucket List item that I wanted to check: La Casa Azul.
I bought my tickets to the museum online before I arrived to avoid a long wait time. Although, before doing anything I contacted their customer service to ensure they were open and that their website had the latest information for reference. I also asked about the best time to visit to avoid crowds. (Please note that I recommend ensuring places are open before making plans, especially during these times of COVID-19.)
After receiving confirmation, I bought the tickets on their website for the next day of my stay during the afternoon. The tickets at the time were 267.50 Mexican Pesos ($13 USD) and at the door I paid an additional 30 Mexican Pesos ($1.50 USD) for the ability to take photos (camera flash and video not allowed). Their website is: https://museofridakahlo.org.mx and for outside of Mexico, https://museofridakahlo.org.
La Casa Azul of Frida Kahlo on the corner of Calle Londres and Calle Ignacio Allende
The day came and I was elated. My place was no more than 15 minutes in walking distance from the museum so I gave myself time to stroll and take everything in. When I arrived, the line wasn’t long and I made it to the front within 10 minutes where I was met with a temperature check and sanitizer before I could go in. Masks were required which I already had on. I don’t leave home without one! Like underwear. We were allowed in a few at a time.
Once you’re in, guards are watching to make sure that you’re not taking any photos without a permit and, if you possess one, that you’re not taking flash photos or video. They have a job to do but it does get irritating. So what I quickly did was stick my permit, which comes in sticker form, to the back of my phone. It’s what I advise so that it’s visible and keeps them from asking at every turn.
La Casa Azul of Frida Kahlo - Kitchen “Frida”
La Casa Azul of Frida Kahlo - Kitchen “Diego”
La Casa Azul was turned into a museum in 1958, four years after Frida’s passing. I was in awe walking through her home where she was raised, lived with her husband and later died. It was special to experience the details, vibrant colors and original work.
La Casa Azul of Frida Kahlo - Permanent Collection: Mi Familia (Inconcluso) 1949
You will find Frida’s ashes in her night bedroom where she slept. They rest in a toad-shaped urn that symbolizes her husband, Diego Rivera, who called himself “el sapo-rana” “the frog-toad.”
La Casa Azul of Frida Kahlo - Night bedroom where her ashes rest in a toad-shaped urn (left)
Outside of Frida’s night bedroom, you will find her day bedroom where she spent her days painting. You will find a photo of her painting and the mirror that her mother put above her bed after her accident.
La Casa Azul of Frida Kahlo - Day bedroom where Frida spent her days painting
La Casa Azul of Frida Kahlo - Picture of Frida painting in the day bedroom
After touring the house, I walked out to the garden just outside the bedrooms. The garden is serene with lots of greenery and a charming fountain. Quiet, since there weren’t many people. Such a great space to enjoy as well as to take photos.
Within the garden is the museum store. Quaint with some good finds and souvenir options at a reasonable price. I recommend it.
In another building right before one exits, there was a wardrobe exhibition showcasing Frida’s clothing. I headed there next.
La Casa Azul of Frida Kahlo - Garden view from the day bedroom
La Casa Azul of Frida Kahlo - Garden with a view of the house
In entering the exhibition, I felt a difference from the other areas of the museum. This space was dark and moody. It showcased Frida’s intimate pieces: from clothing, hair pins, a nail polish, to the crutches that she used.
At the age of six, Frida contracted polio and in 1925 at the age of eighteen, she suffered a near fatal accident that resulted in a steel handrail going through the left side of her body piercing through her abdomen and uterus leaving her unable to bear children. She also had a broken collarbone, spinal column and right foot. Much of her art work is an expression of the pain that she endured.
La Casa Azul of Frida Kahlo - Wardrobe Exhibition
La Casa Azul of Frida Kahlo - Crutches, brace and corset showcased at the wardrobe exhibition
After two hours of combing through every art piece and section of the house, wardrobe exhibition, garden and museum store, I left feeling full.
It was a deeper look into the life, death, love, tragedy, pain and art of this wonderful artist.
Until the next adventure,
-Natali-
“Pain, pleasure, and death are no more than a process for existence. The revolutionary struggle in this process is a doorway open to intelligence.”
“El dolor, el placer y la muerte no son más que un proceso de existencia. La lucha revolucionaria en este proceso es una puerta abierta a la inteligencia.”
Photos are owned by the author Natali Martinez