After my visit to the Museum of Popular Cultures in the district of Coyoacán, I walked a few blocks to one of Mexico City's newest museums... "Museo Casa Kahlo" (the Kahlo House Museum), also referred to as the "Red House".
The courtyard of the house
The house where Frida Kahlo and her husband Diego Rivera lived, known as the "Blue House", is nearby, and it has been a major tourist draw for a number of years. The fact of the matter is that it is a bit of an over-commercialized zoo with long lines of people waiting to enter. I found the Red House to be a more satisfying experience. Entrance is timed, but I only had to wait a few minutes before I could enter. I did not have to contend with large crowds, and I could linger and look at the displays calmly rather than being pushed along by the hordes of tourists.
Frida's father, Guillermo Kahlo, owned two houses in Coyoacán, the "Blue House" and the "Red House". After Frida and Diego bought the "Blue House", the rest of the Kahlo family moved into the "Red House". Until a couple of years ago the house was occupied by Kahlo descendants. The most recent occupant was Frida's grand-niece, Mara Romeo Kahlo. She and other members of the family, decided to convert the house into a museum. It opened last September, making it one of the most recent entries on the long list of Mexico City museums.
As in the "Blue House", there is very little in the way of Frida's artwork. This house presents the story of Frida's family and her relationship with them. It is a more intimate museum, and I found it more interesting than the "Blue House". It is filled with family mementos and photographs, and some of the rooms are furnished.
The house was purchased by Guillermo Kahlo, a German-Hungarian photographer who immigrated to Mexico in 1891, became a naturalized Mexican citizen, and changed his name from Wilhelm to the Spanish equivalent, Guillermo. He established himself as a successful photographer. His first wife died in childbirth. He later married Matilde Calderón, and they had four daughters. Frida was the second youngest of the four.
Guillermo Kahlo
Frida´s family tree
Frida at the age of 4, as photographed by her father
Four generations of the family... Frida´s maternal grandmother, her mother Matilde, her younger sister Cristina, and Cristina's daughter Isolda.
Photographed in 1930 by Guillermo
In addition to being a photographer, Guillermo was also an amateur watercolorist. It was he who encouraged his daughter to paint when she was bedridden after a accident.
A still life by Guillermo Kahlo
Guillermo's darkroom
The kitchen includes paintings on the wall done by Frida, the only mural painting she ever did.
The dining room
The museum contains a number of Frida's personal items, such as this pre-Hispanic necklace.
For Frida fans who are not able to get tickets to the "Blue House" or who don't want to deal with the crowds, the "Red House" is a good alternative.
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