Dolores Olmedo Museum: Art is in the Bones

The Ofrendas (often referring to both offerings and the altars on which they are placed), as we understand them, commenced during the Colonial period. The custom remained relatively hidden by the natives and mestizos, who began to integrate elements of the Catholic religion into their ofrendas.

The ofrendas were no longer placed in the tombs, but inside the dwelling, on the floor or on a table – hence they were called the Altar of the Dead.

In 1955, Dolores Olmedo began the important tradition of placing Ofrendas and Altars of the Dead, not just dedicated to one person, like Diego Rivera, but to give homage to Mexican arts and crafts.

Since its opening in 1994, the Dolores Olmedo Museum invites its visitors to re-evaluate the tradition of placing Altars and Ofrendas of the dead. This temporary exhibition is one of the most emblematic of the Museum.

Our monumental exhibition of the Day of the Dead is divided in two: an Altar of the dead with traditional features: candles, copal or incense, cempasúchil flowers, pan de muerto, fruits, food, drink and sugar calaveritas (skulls).

In addition, an exhibition of calacas (papier-mâché skeleton figures) which changes its theme year after year, presenting figures who are very representative of the Museum, such as Dolores Olmedo being painted by Diego Rivera for "Portrait of a Tehuana".

Our Ofrendas may also dramatize other parts of the world, depending on the temporary exhibitions that are featured in the Museum.

In 2013, the calacas were transported to Paris to reference our exhibition "Masterpieces of the Musée de l'Orangerie" with papier-mâché calacas that represented the artists featured in the exhibition.

With recreations of their most famous artworks, such as Les nymphéas by Claude Monet

Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette,

by Pierre-Auguste Renoir

ans also The Luncheon on the Grass, by Edouard Manet.

Our Altars or Offerings portray the beauty of Mexico

Also with some characters from Mexico, like this "jimador" (person who works with the cactus from which the tequila is produced).

Imagination, talent and creativity of Mexican artisans is also celebrated in this exhibition, that year after year attracts thousands of local and international visitors.

The Day of the Dead at the Dolores Olmedo Museum is a long tradition that renews itself year after year, which helps us celebrate life and keep in mind those who are gone now.