The Patroness of Mexico

Mexico City has over 150 museums and the number is constantly growing.  Add to that  special exhibits that are on display, and it seems as if every week I am visiting a museum.  Thursdays have almost become my 'museum day".

Last Thursday at went to see two exhibits at the Museum of Popular Cultures, and I also visited a new museum that has only been open for a few months, the Casa Kahlo Museum.  Both of them are located in the southern district of Coyoacán.

One of the exhibits at the Museum of Popular Cultures dealt with representations of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the revered patron saint of Mexico.  The image of the Virgin is to be seen everywhere on Mexico, and here are examples in a variety of medium.

An image of the Virgin made of bakelite

Another made from cut paper

Hand-painted clay tiles

Carved from wood

Etched on a gourd

Modeled in clay

Two portraits done in feathers pasted onto wax

The image in cut tissue paper

A photograph of two dancers at the Basilica with the image of the Virgin on their cloaks

Pilgrims to the Basilica often want their picture taken as a souvenir.  Photographers set their cameras up outside the church.  That is depicted in this piece of folk art.

A photograph of pilgrims being photographed

Next... another exhibit at the Museum of Popular Cultures