A beautifully illustrated account of three Jewish immigrants who helped champion and internationalize Mexican modernism
The efflorescence of modernism in Mexico, propagated by luminaries such as Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Rufino Tamayo, is one of the most celebrated episodes in art history. Long understood through the lens of postrevolutionary nationalism, Mexican modernism emerged from a dynamic synthesis of Indigenous traditions, political ideals, and European avant-garde experimentation. This book broadens that narrative by examining the vital role played by three Jewish figures who helped define the movement’s intellectual and cultural landscape. Featuring 120 illustrations, from canonical to lesser-known works of art, the book traces the network of artists, critics, collectors, and institutions that created a vibrant artistic environment and propelled Mexican modernism to the world stage.
The book centers on the work and legacy of three influential figures whose distinct experiences of displacement shaped the ways they understood and participated in Mexico’s rapidly changing artistic culture.
• Anita Brenner (1905–1974), whose landmark book Idols Behind Altars (1929) helped introduce Mexico’s artistic traditions and modern painters to an international audience
• Ruth Lechuga (1920–2004), whose research, photography, and collecting practices preserved popular and folk art traditions across Mexico
• Alberto Misrachi (1897–1963), whose bookstore and art gallery became an important cultural hub and among the first venues to champion artists who would transform Mexico’s art scene
Published in association with the Jewish Museum, New York