The clothes, photos and objects related to the iconic painter Frida Kahlo that Madonna wears in a series of photographs shared on her social media are not part of the collection of the Frida Kahlo Museum, the Mexico City institution clarified on Monday (May 20) in a press release.
Kahlo’s museum, also knows as La Casa Azul, issued the statement after the pop superstar posted a series of snapshots in which she wears a dress with floral details and an embroidered blouse, a rebozo (a very popular shawl in Mexico) and a white hat, as well as photographs of Kahlo, a pair of old shoes and jewelry that suggest they could be objects of the iconic late painter.
“A Beautiful Souvenir -visiting the family home of my Eternal Muse- Frida Kahlo in Mexico City”, wrote Madonna on her Instagram account Monday. “For me it was magical to try on her clothes and jewelry, to read her journals and letters and to look at photos I’d never seen before.”
“It is important to clarify that, contrary to what has been mentioned in social media, Madonna, due to scheduling constraints, was unable to visit La Casa Azul during her recent visit to Mexico,” said the museum in a statement. “However, we had the opportunity for her family and staff to enjoy the museum.”
It did not specify, however, whether the Kahlo-related objects were lent during a private visit that the pop icon made to the painter’s family home in El Pedregal neighborhood on April 18.
Madonna has not yet commented on the information provided by La Casa Azul.
The Queen of Pop performed a series of shows at the capital’s Palacio de los Deportes at the end of April as part of her worldwide Celebration Tour, an occasion she used to reiterate her love for Mexican culture and especially for Kahlo. During her visit to the Kahlo family, the star wrote an emotional dedication in the guest book expressing how much the painter had inspired her, and that she considers Kahlo “a soul mate,” according to the newspaper Reforma.
La Casa Azul also expressed on Monday its gratitude toward Madonna for her dedication to celebrating and perpetuating the legacy of the painter of “The Two Fridas” and “Self-Portrait With Monkey”: “The singer’s deep admiration for Frida highlights the ongoing relevance of the artist and also underscores how her influence transcends cultures and borders, inspiring global admirers.”
Madonna expressed her passion for Kahlo furthermore by inviting Mexican actress Salma Hayek to appear on stage during her performance of “Vogue” on April 26 at the Palacio de los Deportes. The actress, who earned an Oscar nod for best actress for her portrayal of the painter in 2002’s Frida, joined the singer as a guest judge of the tour dancers dressed in a costume inspired by Kahlo.
