danica o. kus captures josé clemente orozco's historic murals at mexico's cabañas museum

a journey through the unesco world heritage site

An emblem of Mexican art, culture, and history, the neoclassical Cabañas Museum (The Hospicio Cabañas) in Guadalajara is the protagonist of Danica O. Kus’ new photo series. The Slovenian photographer spotlights the monumental frescoes and architectural features of the UNESCO World Heritage Site — one with a long and rich history dating back to the eighteenth century. Originally founded as a hospital, orphanage, and workhouse complex during colonial times, it evolved into a museum in 1983 and today stands as a cultural institute and an art center. Home to a diverse collection of Mexican and international art, its pivotal feature is José Clemente Orozco’s powerful mural, The Man of Fire, that depicts the plight of human struggle across the central chapel’s dome.

all images by Danica O. Kus

danica o. kus captures historic frescos and neoclassical arches

Danica O. Kus takes us on a visual journey through the courtyards, corridors, chapels, and exhibition spaces of the neoclassical structure that was built by architect Manuel Tolsá. The Cabañas Museum’s site’s design weaves influence from classic Spanish and French architecture, sitting on a rectangular complex comprising single-story buildings unfolding around a series of 23 courtyards. Within one of the courtyards, sit Mathias Goeritz’s white sculptures surrounded by greenery and Tuscan-style arches and pillars.

Inside the chapel, the photographer captures the iconic and doric columns rising 32 feet high, and remarkable series of frescos of painted by José Clemente Orozco — one of Mexico’s most powerful muralists — between September 1937 to March 1939. Most notable is the The Man of Fire on the dome which depicts the four elements of nature, likening the symbol of fire with sacrifice, blood, and a sacred entity with powerful transformative qualities. The artwork is created with a deep understanding of perspective, optics, and mathematics, designed to be observed as a straight image along a curved surface from a distance of 27 meters. When seen from below, it creates a visual illusion wherein the motifs appear to rise upwards.

a visual journey through Cabañas Museum (The Hospicio Cabañas)

Danica O. Kus spotlights the monumental frescoes and architectural features of the UNESCO World Heritage Site

José Clemente Orozco’s mural, The Man of Fire, depicts the plight of human struggle across the chapel’s dome

created with a deep understanding of optics, designed to be observed as a straight image along a curved surface

the site was originally founded as a hospital, orphanage, and workhouse complex during colonial times

defined by neoclassical architecture

the complex comprises single-story buildings unfolding around a series of 23 courtyards

Mathias Goeritz’s white sculptures find a home in one of the courtyards

project info: 

name: Cabañas Museum (The Hospicio Cabañas)

photographer: Danica O. Kus 

location: Guadalajara, Mexico