It was the first institution of its kind founded in Mexico, specifically focusing on watercolor medium preservation.
The building was historically used as an inn for travelers arriving by carriage, hence its original name, La Casa de las Diligencias.
The museum holds a significant collection of works from the founder of the Mexican Watercolor Society, Pastor Velázquez.
The gallery space is organized to highlight the technical differences between wet-on-wet and dry-brush watercolor applications.
The architecture reflects typical Porfirian-era residential construction with a central fountain courtyard.
The Museo de la Acuarela in Toluca is the first museum in Mexico dedicated exclusively to the art of watercolor painting. Housed in a 19th-century colonial-style building known as 'La Casa de las Diligencias,' the museum showcases the evolution of watercolor techniques in Mexican art history. The collection contains hundreds of works by prominent national watercolorists, including experimental and traditional landscapes, portraits, and still lifes. It serves as a central hub for the Sociedad Mexicana de Acuarelistas, frequently hosting temporary exhibitions and specialized workshops. The structure itself is a historic residence restored to preserve its original courtyard layout. It provides a dedicated space for academic research and the preservation of ephemeral watercolor media. Visitors can observe the chronological progression of painting styles from early 20th-century movements to contemporary expressions.
The central courtyard featuring the historic fountain and surrounding original arches.
Check the temporary exhibit schedule online before arriving to catch rotating artist showcases.
Ask the staff about the current rotating exhibition, as the museum often displays works from private archives not permanently on walls.
Combine your visit with a walk through the surrounding Barrio de la Merced, which is one of Toluca's most historic districts.
Do not attempt to park directly in front of the museum as streets in this historic district are narrow and restricted.
Closed on Mondays.
Maintain a low volume and refrain from touching artwork; no photography with flash.
