Natasha Gelman

The Natasha Gelman collection is a significant private collection of 20th-century Mexican art, including masterpieces by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. It is newsworthy because its future location and ownership are currently being debated in Mexico. Recent events involve a plan to export the collection to Spain under an agreement with Banco Santander, which has sparked outrage among Mexico's cultural community. Nearly 400 cultural professionals have signed an open letter calling on the Mexican government to clarify the deal's implications. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has stated that the Gelman collection will return to Mexico in 2028 after a two-year exhibition abroad, emphasizing that despite being privately owned, the art is considered national patrimony. The collection's status is relevant due to its cultural importance to Mexico and the ongoing discussion about preserving and repatriating national artistic heritage.