The Fundación Banco Santander in Spain has officially announced its plans to return the renowned Gelman Collection, a significant assemblage of 20th-century Mexican art, to Mexico by 2028. This decision follows a recent open letter signed by over 200 art professionals, which criticized the Mexican government for permitting part of the collection to be housed in a private museum in Santander, Spain.
In January, the Madrid-based foundation revealed it would manage 160 of the approximately 300 artworks collected by Jacques and Natasha Gelman from 1941 until Natasha's passing in 1998. The collection boasts masterpieces from celebrated Mexican artists such as Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and José Clemente Orozco, among others. Notably, 18 of these works are attributed to Kahlo alone.
Several artists represented in the collection, including Kahlo and Rivera, have been designated as Artistic Monuments by the Mexican government, which prohibits their permanent export from Mexico. This law allows for temporary loans but safeguards the cultural heritage of these significant works.
Robert R. Littman, who was named executor of Natasha Gelman's estate, affirmed that the collection should remain in Mexico after her death. However, it has faced numerous claims from alleged heirs over the years. The portion of the collection intended for Spain is currently owned by the Zambrano family, one of Mexico's wealthiest families, with the Fundación Banco Santander managing the exhibition on their behalf.
The recent open letter emphasized that while the ownership transition is a private matter, the fate of the artworks, protected under national decrees, is a collective concern. In response to growing calls for the collection's return, Mexico's culture secretary, Claudia Curiel, stated in a radio interview that the Gelman Collection would indeed be back in Mexico within two to three years. President Claudia Sheinbaum also expressed her desire for the collection to remain in the country.
Between 2008 and 2024, the Gelman Collection's whereabouts were largely unknown until 30 pieces appeared in a Sotheby's auction catalog. This auction was ultimately blocked by the Mexican government. Currently, several works from the collection are on display at the Museo de Arte Moderno in Mexico City, with the exhibition extended to coincide with the 2026 World Cup.
The return of the Gelman Collection not only reinforces Mexico's commitment to preserving its cultural heritage but also highlights the importance of international dialogue in the art world. This development may pave the way for future collaborations and the return of other significant artworks to their countries of origin.