Walking into someone’s home for the first time is like opening a treasure chest of curiosities; don’t you find yourself wanting to see their paintings, step into the kitchen, or take a peek at their bookshelf? Now, imagine what the home of one of the most creative and fantastical minds in the art world would be like: What’s in the master bedroom? What will the living room be like? Although very few people know about it, the Leonora Carrington House and Studio is located in the Roma neighborhood—the sanctuary where she lived until her final days.
You’ve probably seen her splendid sculptures or her paintings that seem like a window into the cosmos, but her home is really the starting point of this universe. The house preserves the furniture and objects exactly as she left them! From the spice rack in the kitchen to the photographs of her cats.
How did Leonora Carrington end up in this house?
The building, located at Chihuahua 194 in the Roma neighborhood, was the artist’s family home; she began living there in 1948, just two years after marrying photographer Emérico Weisz, better known as Chiki.
Let’s remember that, previously, Leonora lived in a large Baroque-style mansion in the San Rafael neighborhood.
According to casaleonoracarrington.uam.mx, the newlywed artists found this home in the newspaper and began renting it; after receiving money from an inheritance, they were able to buy it outright.
Her sons, Gabriel and Pablo, grew up here, and both created some of their works here as well. Leonora Carrington lived in the house until her death in 2011.
Is the Leonora Carrington House and Studio open to the public?
Unfortunately, this beautiful residence is not currently open to the public.
The Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana acquired this property to preserve it and continue researching the artist’s artistic legacy and private life. Occasionally, the house has opened its doors for private tours and as part of cultural programs, which are announced in advance.
But don’t be discouraged, because you can still discover the curiosities the house holds—there’s a free virtual tour where you can explore every room and zoom in on the details that catch your eye. Plus, you’ll learn fascinating facts about the objects, the artworks, and Leonora’s personal life.
Now that you know about the Leonora Carrington House and Studio, take a moment to visit its website and discover the secrets hidden in every piece of decor and furniture that was part of the artist’s daily life.
