Carrillo Gil Art Museum

Photos by Alejandro CC BY 2.0

Considered a fundamental bastion for contemporary visual arts, the Museo de Arte Carrillo Gil represents an unprecedented artistic legacy in Mexico City. The building stands out as a cultural axis in the heart of San Ángel, masterfully fusing the heritage of the great masters of muralism with the most audacious experimental expressions. National and international visitors find in this space an indispensable stop to understand the country’s aesthetic evolution during the twentieth century and the trends of the twenty-first.

The collection was born from the passion and vision of Dr. Alvar Carrillo Gil and his wife, Carmen Tejero. The couple dedicated decades to gathering fundamental pieces, promoting Mexican talent on the world’s most prestigious stages. Both ultimately decided to share their treasure with the nation, consolidating in 1972 a historic sale and donation agreement with the Mexican State to ensure the preservation and dissemination of the artworks in a public venue.

Augusto H. Álvarez and Enrique Carral Icaza conceived the architectural design under the strictest principles of functionalism, inaugurating the building in 1974. The structure is defined by its imposing concrete volumes and sober finishes that prioritize the contemplation of the exhibited pieces. The interior ramps constitute the core element of the project, allowing a dynamic and continuous flow that connects the various exhibition halls in an organic and enveloping manner.

The permanent collection houses 1,417 original artworks of incalculable historical value. The museum possesses the most important public collection of José Clemente Orozco, totaling 153 works following the relevant incorporation of the piece Resurrección de Lázaro (Resurrection of Lazarus) in 2022. The halls also exhibit 45 works by David Alfaro Siqueiros and seven fundamental oil paintings from Diego Rivera’s Cubist period, as well as international graphics by masters of the stature of Pablo Picasso and Vasily Kandinsky.

Today, the venue maintains a vibrant experimental and community vocation, consolidating itself in 2026 as a living laboratory for the visual arts. The facilities continuously host contemporary performances and interdisciplinary projects that challenge the traditional boundaries of visual arts. The museum offers specialized tours, multiple creative workshops, and features a unique documentation center, fostering a constant dialogue between art history and the current creative vanguard.

Library, video library, and documentation center The Museo de Arte Carrillo Gil also houses a library, video library, and documentation center specializing in modern and contemporary art. Reference services are offered to students, teachers, researchers, artists, and the general public.

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00 hours. Admission is free on Sundays.

Transportation: Barranca del Muerto Metro Station (Line 7) or Altavista Metrobús Station (Line 1).