Selections from The Mexican Museum's Permanent Collection

The Mexican Museum's permanent collection contains five collecting areas of artworks from Pre-Hispanic times to contemporary. This exhibit features 150 of our best pieces, a tiny fraction of the overall permanent collection of over 16,000 artworks. These are highlights reflecting the diversity of The Mexican Museum's vast, impressive collection acquired over 40 years as an institution.

Sitting Figure (-0300/0500) by Nayarit cultureThe Mexican Museum

Pre-Hispanic Art

The Museum’s Pre-Hispanic collection, encompassing Mesoamerican, Central American and South American cultures, span 2,500 years of history. Over 2,000 artifacts offer fine examples of vessels, ceremonial objects, tools, body ornaments and reliefs from major ancient cultures including Teotihuacan, Mayan, Zapotec, Nayarit, Colima and ancient Peruvian civilizations.

Ceramic Bird Vessel, Tlatilco, -1250/-0800, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Squash Vessel, Mixtec culture, -0300/-0100, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Carved Stone Object, Mezcala, -0300/-0100, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Ceramic Standing Warrior Whistle, Colima culture, -0300/0400, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Frog Whistle, Colima culture, -0300/0400, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Dog Whistle, Colima culture, -0300/0400, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Ring, Unknown, -0300/0400, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Armadillo Effigy Vessel, Colima culture, -0300/0400, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Parrot Effigy Vessel, Colima culture, -0300/0400, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Seated Figure, Nayarit culture, -0300/0400, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Flute, Colima culture, -0300/0400, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Bowl with faces, Nayarit culture, -0300/0500, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Sitting Figure, Nayarit culture, -0300/0500, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Turtle Vessel, Colima culture, -0050/0250, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Fire God Vessel, Zapotec culture, 0/900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Animal Vessel, Zapotec culture, 0/900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Effigy Urn of the Bat God, Zapotec culture, 0/900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Vessel with Jaguar, Zapotec culture, 0/900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Seated Figure Vessel, Cocijo, Zapotec culture, 0/900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Ball Player with Mohawk, Colima culture, 100/600, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Standing Figure, Remojadas culture, 300/900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Pediment/Frieze, Maya culture, 300/900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Ceramic Stamp, Veracruz culture, 300/800, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Whistle, Colima culture, 400/900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Mayan Vessel, Maya culture, 500/1000, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Armadillo Pitcher, Mixtec culture, 900/1200, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Bowl with Animal Face and Tail, Mixtec culture, 900/1200, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Tripod Bird Vase, Mixtec culture, 900/1500, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Water Jar, Chancay culture, 1000/1450, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Architectual Fragment with Death, Aztec culture, 1325/1521, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more

The Virgin of Guadalupe by UnknownThe Mexican Museum

Colonial Art

Colonial art from the 18th and 19th centuries include carved wooden santos, oil paintings, works on tin, metal jewelry, ecclesiastical textiles, and decorative arts. There are over 1,500 objects in the colonial art holdings.

Holy Family Altar Piece Section, Unknown, 1550/1850, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Altar Piece, Jesus Crucifixion Scene, Unknown, 1550/1850, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Animal Shaped Wooden Slit Drum, Unknown, 1550/1850, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
The Virgin of Guadalupe, Unknown, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Eucharistic Shawl, Unknown, 1820/1820, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
La Trinidad, Unknown, 1800/1900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
N. Sra. de la Soledad Ex-voto de Juliana, M.C. Rancela, 1800/1900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
La Huida a Egipto (Flight from Egypt), Peruvian school, 1800/1900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Retablo, El Alma de Mar, Unknown, 1800/1900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Retablo, La Sagrada Familia, Unknown, 1800/1900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Retablo, Nuestra Señora de Lourdes, Unknown, 1800/1900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
The Virgin of Immaculate Conception, Unknown, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Retablo, Penitent Soul in Inferno, Unknown, 1800/1900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Retablo, Jesuit Saint, Unknown, 1800/1900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Cope Section, Unknown, 1800/1900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Retablo, La Pieta, Unknown, 1800/1900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Cristo Crucificado; Crucified Christ, Unknown, 1800/1900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
San Emigdio Obispo y Martir, Unknown, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Retablo, The Blood and the Lamb, Unknown, 1800/1900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Retablo, Mater Dolorosa, Unknown, 1800/1900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Retablo, Santa Madre con el Niño Dios, Unknown, 1800/1900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Santo Niño de Atocha, Unknown, 1800/1900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Retablo, San Miguel Archangel, Unknown, 1800/1900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Nuestra Senora de la Concepción o de la Encarnacion, Unknown, 1800/1900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
San Jose El Santo Nino, Unknown, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Sorrowing Christ On Veronica's Veil, Unknown, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Triple Panel Screen, Unknown, 1800/1900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Virgin Mary, Unknown, 1800/1900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Male Saint with Wings, Unknown, 1800/1900, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Sampler, Unknown, 1870/1880, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Na Sra de la Soledad Ex-voto de Maria Rogas, Ex-voto painting depicting pump car derailment in country landscape. Three trees in background with foliage and one bare tree LS foreground. Railroad runs horizontally across painting. Left side has Virgin de la Soledad in sky above. Kneeling figure in black shawl and red dress. Railroad car derailed with with three figures in white: one standing, one laying on ground, and one with legs up in the air on the other side of the railroad tracks. Blue sky and green meadow background. Dia 18 de Septiembre de 1901., 1901-09-18/1901-09-18, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Ex-Voto, Holy Savior Child/Eustogia Marin, Unknown, 1907-04-05/1907-04-05, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Convent Chair, Unknown, 1910/1910, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more

Owl Nahual (1940/1980) by Candelario MedranoThe Mexican Museum

Popular & Folk Art

With over 5,000 objects, the popular and folk art collection represents the largest component of The Mexican Museum’s holdings. Spanning the 20th century to the present, the collection contains fine examples of handcrafted artifacts from all the major folk art regions of Mexico.

Candelabra, Unknown, 1900/1960, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Fantastic Figure, Herón Martínez Mendoza, 1940/1970, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Tehuana Girl, Herón Martínez Mendoza, 1940/1970, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Circus Dogs, Herón Martínez Mendoza, 1940/1970, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Bird Vessel Candelabra, Herón Martínez Mendoza, 1940/1970, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Ceramic Mask, Candelario Medrano Lopez, 1930/1970, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Alebrije, Pedro Linares, 1930/1970, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Buck/Deer, Candelario Medrano Lopez, 1940/1980, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Owl Nahual, Candelario Medrano, 1940/1980, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Chapel, Candelario Medrano Lopez, 1940/1980, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Female Figure, Doña Rosa, 1940/1980, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Miniature Tree of Life Candelabra, Isabela Castillo Ortiz, 1970/1980, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Rounding Up Those Little Doggies, Joe Mariscal, 1981/1981, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Rabbit, Manuel Jimenez, 1940/1980, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Container with Lid, Gorki Gonzalez, 1960/1990, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Box, Christ Ascending to Heaven, David Villafanez, 1940/1990, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Bird Vessel, Unknown, 1900/2000, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Huipil, Unknown, 1900/2000, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Candelabra Tree of Life, Unknown, 1900/2000, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Calaca with Opera Hat, Josefina Aguilar, 1900/2000, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Nahual (Lion), Candelario Medrano Lopez, 1900/2000, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Ceramic Vase, Unknown, 1900/2000, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Corte de Falda, Unknown, 1900/2000, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Devil Couple, Unknown, 1900/2000, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Papier-mâché Bird, Ser-Mel Workshop, 1900/2000, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Female Figure with Animals, Teodora Blanco, 1900/2000, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Last Supper Assemblage, Josefina Aguilar, 1900/2000, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Rooster, Candelario Medrano Lopez, 1900/2000, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Dog Effigy Vessel, Unknown, 1900/2000, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Huichol Yarn Tabla, Martin de la Cruz, 1900/2000, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more

Tehuana (1926/1926) by Miguel CovarrubiasThe Mexican Museum

Mexican and Latin American Fine Art

The museum’s 20th century fine art collections from Mexico and Latin America contain over 2,500 objects including paintings, sculptures and works on paper. Mexican masters such as Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros, Rufino Tamayo, Rosa and Miguel Covarrubias are well represented in the collection. The works on paper collection is historically rich and contains lithographs, serigraphs, etchings, photographs, posters, rare books, portfolios and archival material.

Agonía, José Clemente Orozco, 1900/1949, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Mujer Muerto, José Clemente Orozco, 1900/1949, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Pedregal, José Clemente Orozco, 1900/1949, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Untitled (Figure Kneeling at Cross), José Clemente Orozco, 1900/1949, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Untitled (Women Carrying Flowers), Alfredo Ramos Martinez, 1940/1945, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Hernán Cortés, Miguel Covarrubias, 1904/1957, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Tehuana, Miguel Covarrubias, 1926/1926, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Untitled (Bridgeworkers), Diego Rivera, 1930/1930, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Alyse, Xavier Martinez, 1900/1930, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
The Overseer, Leopoldo Mendez, 1934/1934, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Self-Portrait, David Alfaro Siqueiros, 1937/1937, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Miguel Covarrubias in San Francisco, Imogen Cunningham, 1939/1939, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Frida Kahlo and Emmy Lou Packard, Diego Rivera, 1941/1941, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Chac Draws Yum-Kaax, the Corn God, from His Earth Dwelling, Manuel Villamor, 1940/1970, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
El Paricutin, Hugo Brehme, 1943/1952, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
La Mujer Antigua, Julia López, 1950/1970, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Esculturo en el Jardin, Arturo Estrada, 1968/1968, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Maternidad, Francisco Zuñiga, 1972/1972, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Mayan Theories #14, Manuel Villamor, 1973/1973, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Crow Soup, Leonora Carrington, 1977/1977, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Historia Natural (Natural History), Xavier Esqueda, 1977/1977, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Desnudo Sentado, Felipe Castañeda, 1978/1978, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Coco, Arturo Estrada, 1940/1980, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Kukulcan Summons the Chacs of Earth and Fire, Manuel Villamor, 1979/1979, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
La Pensativa, Jorge Duron, 1950/1980, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Mujer con la Pierna Cruzada, Armando Amaya, 1955/1980, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Mujer con Olla, Francisco Zuñiga, 1930/1980, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
El Sol Sonriente (The Smiling Sun), Rufino Tamayo, 1983/1983, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Guerrero, Gunther Gerzso, 1984/1989, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
On Stage: The Bronze, Byron Galvez, 1990/1990, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more

Over the Rainbow (2005/2005) by Alfredo ArreguínThe Mexican Museum

Chicano Art

Emphasizing the art of the present, the contemporary collection of Chicano art numbers over 1,000 works including paintings, sculptures, works on paper, and ephemera. Nationally and internationally acclaimed Chicano artists such as Alejandro Colunga, Enrique Chagoya, Rupert Garcia, Carmen Lomas Garza, Ester Hernandez, Patssi Valdez, Gronk, and hundreds of other emerging and accomplished artists, working here and abroad, are represented in the museum’s ever-growing Chicano and Contemporary Mexican-American art holdings.

Untitled/Profile, Manuel Neri, 1957/1957, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Untitled (Human Profile), Manuel Neri, 1957/1957, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Hombre en Dos, Luis Valsoto, 1970/1970, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Loteria, Carmen Lomas Garza, 1972/1972, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
La Manzana Erotica, Ralph Maradiaga, 1974/1974, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Images of Kahlo, Alfredo Arreguín, 1977/1977, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
A Very Modern City Under the Sea, Alex A. Maldonado, 1978/1978, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Patssi Valdez, Harry Gamboa Jr., 1979/1979, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Assassination of a Striking Mexican Worker, Rupert Garcia, 1979/1979, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Autorretrato, Carmen Lomas Garza, 1979/1979, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Untitled Standing Figure No. 5, Manuel Neri, 1980/1980, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Medusa, Jose Ramon Lerma, 1981/1981, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Sun Mad, Ester Hernandez, 1982/1982, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Illegal Landscape, Gronk, 1980/1986, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Young Fool, Carlos Almaraz, 1985/1985, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Molotov Cocktail Dress, Gronk, 1987/1987, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Las Peleoneras, Carmen Lomas Garza, 1988/1988, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Homage to Howard, Patssi Valdez, 1989/1989, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
La Curandera, Carmen Lomas Garza, 1989/1989, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Going out of Business, John Valdez, 1990/1990, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Room with Red Table, Patssi Valdez, 1991/1991, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
El Regreso de la Vaca Sagrada (The Return of the Sacred Cow), Enrique Chagoya, 1992/1992, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Mano Poderosa, Enrique Chagoya, 1992/1992, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Nopalitos Frescos, Carmen Lomas Garza, 1980/1993, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Four Calaveras, Patssi Valdez, 1998/1998, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Bomba Barrococo, Ray Abeyta, 2004/2004, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Over the Rainbow, Alfredo Arreguín, 2005/2005, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Jaguar and Two Dragons, Sal Garcia, 2007/2007, From the collection of: The Mexican Museum
Show lessRead more
Credits: Story

Curated by Vanessa Moreno
Images provided by The Mexican Museum
Thanks to Google Arts & Culture

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
Explore more
Related theme
Latino Cultures in the US
Be inspired by the contributions and experiences of Latinos in the US
View theme
Home
Discover
Play
Nearby
Favorites