Bessie Green-Field Warshawsky Gallery

Benito Juárez and the Making of Modern Mexico

October 10, 2009 through April 12, 2010

From his humble childhood to the presidency of Mexico, the story of Benito Juárez (1806–72) is legendary. An indigenous Zapotec Indian, he was born in a small mountain village in the rural state of Oaxaca. At age twelve, Juárez left home for Oaxaca City, where he studied in the seminary before entering the Institute of Arts and Sciences to study law.

His political views were profoundly influenced by the ideals of the European Enlightenment, particularly the rule of law and self-government. Beginning in the late 1840s, Juárez set out to reform Mexico according to these ideals, a relentless pursuit framed by war. Juárez’s determined efforts transformed Mexico into a modern republic, making him a beloved national icon.

Benito Juárez and the Making of Modern Mexico is a ground-breaking exhibition, co-curated with the National Museum of Mexican Art. Over 25 national treasures from Mexico never before exhibited in the United States will be on display, including a bronze death mask of Juárez, an oversized painting of Juárez by Jorge Gonzalez Camarena, and his signature top hat and suit. Benito Juárez is presented in tandem with Abraham Lincoln Transformed; the two exhibitions are key elements in the Museum's Lincoln Bicentennial year.

> Learn more about Abraham Lincoln Transformed

> Learn more about the Lincoln Bicentennial

> Learn more about the National Institute of Anthropology and History in Mexico

Multimedia

Slideshow

A preview of selected pieces from the exhibition.

> View a slideshow of highlights from Benito Juárez and the Making of Modern Mexico

Curator Commentary

Cesáreo Moreno of the National Museum of Mexican Art and Co-Curator of Benito Juárez and the Making of Modern Mexico discusses the exhibition.

> View co-curator Cesáreo Moreno's commentary on Benito Juárez and the Making of Modern Mexico

Chicago-based Exelon is the presenting sponsor of the Lincoln Bicentennial celebration. Additional support has been provided by the Crown Family and by Gordon and Carole Segal.

The Museum gratefully acknowledges the Joyce Foundation, The Chicago Community Trust, and the Motorola Foundation for their support of Benito Juárez and the Making of Modern Mexico. The Museum also thanks JP Morgan Chase, the Guild of the Chicago Historical Society, and Jacob and Rosaline Cohn Foundation for their support of educational programming for the celebration. Adult programming is generously supported by Bank of America. The Museum recognizes Tawani Foundation for their support of penny admission during opening weekend. ABC 7 Chicago is the official broadcast partner.

Artifacts for Benito Juárez and the Making of Modern Mexico have been loaned by the National Council for Culture and Arts (CONACULTA), Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e Historia (INAH), and the Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público de México (SHCP).