Mexico is no longer home to dozens of artworks by some of the nation’s most revered 20th-century artists. The paintings have been handed over to a company in Spain. That has angered many who believe the works are a valuable part of Mexico’s cultural history and that these national treasures should have remained in Mexico.
The 160 artworks are part of the privately owned Gelman Collection. In early 2026, Banco Santander, a Spanish financial company, signed a deal to take over the responsibility of caring for the works. The company is exhibiting them at its new Spanish cultural center. The deal also allows Santander to loan the works to other museums—giving people outside Mexico a chance to study and appreciate these masterpieces.
Among the works are paintings by two of Mexico’s most important artists, Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. Rivera made large murals that champion the rights of Indigenous and working-class people in Mexico. Kahlo’s self-portraits, like the one above, are symbols for feminism and Mexican pride. Many see her as history’s most influential Mexican artist.
Mexico declared both artists’ works National Artistic Monuments. This means that legally the government oversees the management of the artworks—even when part of a private collection—and restricts their movement outside the country. Some have questioned whether it was appropriate to export works viewed as a vital part of Mexican heritage.
Although both parties say the move is temporary, they have been vague about when the art might be returned, raising concerns that the works could remain abroad indefinitely. Nearly 400 cultural professionals have called on the Mexican government to provide more information about what will happen to the masterpieces.