Mexico 2026 - Guadalajara - Orozco

 Jose Clemente Orozco was an early to mid 20th century artist and muralist not well known to many. His work is often angry and always full of emotion. We were going to view 2 of his works, a mural at the University of Guadalajara and, perhaps his most well know work, the interior of the historic Museo Cabanas.

After viewing the almost overpowering mural in a lecture hall at the University we discovered that the museum had borrowed a number of works on paper by the artist from the Cabanas collection. It was one of two special exhibitions. The other was a retrospective of artist I was unfamiliar with but plan to research more throughly, Ernst Saemisch.

After the Museum we visited a 19th century gothic cathedral which sits next door. It has a towering steeple in it's center constructed of stained glass. The sunlight illuminating the colors of the glass as it passes through them is indescribable. It is considered by many to be the most beautiful church in the city. Photos cannot do it justice. 

Around the university were more than the usual number of young people, the few women wearing dresses, the young men looking handsome yet somewhat uncomfortable in dark suits and ties. Seeing chairs and camera equipment set up we assumed it was class photo day. As we walked towards the city center we encountered several more groups of similarly clad students heading towards the school. 

We were on our way to the Museo Cabanas. This 19th century complex has served a number of uses over the years but is now known for the Orozco murals that cover the domed ceiling and walls of the main building. We heard an English speaking docent and moved over to hear him as he pointed out details to 2 gentlemen. Entering the conversation we discovered that one of them had moved to Guadalajara a year ago from the neighborhood adjacent to mine in Chicago. Throughout my travels the phrase "small world" has often proved true. 

There are 18 courtyards behind the main building. The buildings that surround them house an extensive collection of Mexican art. We wandered through a few of them before returning to our hotel through the streets full of construction barriers as workmen prepared the Festival of Lights infrastructure that was to begin 2 days later. 


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