The Mexican Museum is deeply saddened by the passing of master folk artist Josefina Aguilar on February 13, 2026. Hailing from the village of Ocotlán de Morelos, Oaxaca, Josefina was a true visionary and the beloved matriarch of a legendary family of traditional artisans. Taught the craft of clay sculpting by her mother and grandmother, Josefina spent her life shaping the vibrant spirit of Mexico into her iconic red clay muñecas (dolls).

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A Legacy Preserved in The Mexican Museum

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The Mexican Museum is profoundly honored to be a custodian of the Aguilar family's monumental legacy to the peoples of the Americas. Our permanent collection proudly houses hundreds of pieces by Josefina and her family, prominently featured within our prestigious Nelson A. Rockefeller and Alan & Gertrude Schaffner Goldberg collections of Mexican folk art.

The story of her international acclaim is woven into the very fabric of our collections. During a trip to Oaxaca in the 1970s, Nelson Rockefeller visited the Aguilar family home and noticed an assortment of old, broken, and sun-faded ceramic figures stuck on fence posts to advertise their business. Captivated by their "special charm" and subtle sophistication, Rockefeller purchased nearly all of them. These forgotten pieces became a cornerstone of his figural ceramics collection—which we proudly house today—and the income from his patronage allowed the family to purchase the very land where they sourced their clay.

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"La Maestra"

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Alan Goldberg first encountered Josefina in the late 1950s. He recalled her sitting on the ground in her courtyard, giving shape to expressive figures that authentically captured the essence of everyday village life, religious and folkloric figures, and Day of the Dead scenes. She was famous for staying deeply rooted in her heritage without conforming to fleeting trends, distinguished especially by the humorous noses that became her trademark.

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As Goldberg beautifully notes, "'The most vital tool of the folk artist is the human heart'. And Josefina had a big one."

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Josefina’s unyielding determination was as remarkable as her art. After losing her sight in 2014 to untreated diabetes, she refused to abandon her craft, continuing to sculpt her intricate, imaginative pieces entirely by touch. Supported in part by "The Josefina Fund"—which was established to provide lifesaving medicine and helped extend her life until the age of 80—she worked passionately through profound global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

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When asked about her ability to sculpt without sight, Josefina profoundly explained, "It’s not the eyes, but the hands and the brain that matter... Every brain is a world."

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To her large, extended family, she was "la maestra"—the teacher. To the world, she was a pioneer who kept the cultural heartbeat of Oaxaca alive in clay. We invite you to commemorate her enduring spirit and beautifully imaginative mind by exploring the masterpieces of Josefina Aguilar in The Mexican Museum’s collections.

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​Photo Details: Josefina Aguilar, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera Sitting on Bench, Oaxaca, Mexico. Polychrome ceramic, metal nails 6.75 x 5,.5 x 3.5 in (17.14 x 13.97 x 8.89 cm). Gift of Dr. Alvin and Mrs. Phyllis Rutner. 2013/5.2. Photo in The Mexican Museum Treasures from the Permanent Collection : El Museo Mexicano Tesoros de la Colección Permanente by The Mexican Museum (San Francisco, 2014).​​