Taos Art Museum at Fechin House, NM
The Taos Art Museum opened in 1994 and in 2002 moved to the beautiful and historic Nicolai Fechin home. The Museum is dedicated to the art of early twentieth century Taos. The heart of the museum is a collection of paintings by the masters of the Taos Society of Artists. Virtually all full and associate members of the Taos Society of Artists are represented in the Museum's collection. This group was prolific, from the arrival of Blumenschein and Phillips to Taos in 1898 through the 1930s.
Fechin House
In 1923, renowned Russian artist Nicolai Fechin, his wife, Alexandra, and their daughter, Eya, emigrated from Russia to New York City. In 1927, the Fechin family traveled to Taos and after a brief and unhappy stay the Fechins decided that it was time for a home of their own. In the early winter of 1927, they acquired the property of Dr. and Mrs. Bergman. The Fechins moved into the house and for the next five years remodeled the house.
The construction coincided with the arrival of electricity in Taos in the fall of 1928, and a modern sewage system that arrived in 1930. Electricity made it possible for Nicolai to carve and build at night while he painted during the day. The electric stove, oven and refrigerator were the first in town.
With his carving skills, Nicolai carved the columns, stair rails, vigas, doors, and furniture. As a coppersmith and with the local metal smith, he fashioned light fixtures, door pulls, and hinges. By 1933, Nicolai and Alexandra, with their workmen, had created one of the most exciting homes in Taos. The final result was a 4,000 square-foot, asymmetrical, adobe Pueblo and Mission Revival house, with twenty-four-inch walls.
Unfortunately, the family's joy was short-lived. The couple experienced marital problems, and Nicolai, with his daughter Eya, left their home in Taos. Alexandra stayed in the house and assumed the responsibility of maintaining the property until her death in 1983. After Eya returned to New Mexico, she accepted responsibility of caring for the house. Living in the studio, Eya created the Fechin Institute and maintained active exhibition and education programs until her death in November 2002.
The Board of the Taos Art Museum acquired the Fechin property in 2002 and immediately began to renovate the house and studio and landscape the grounds. The Fechin House was placed on the National Registry of Historic American Homes and the State of NM Registered Cultural Properties in 1979.
Fechin House
In 1923, renowned Russian artist Nicolai Fechin, his wife, Alexandra, and their daughter, Eya, emigrated from Russia to New York City. In 1927, the Fechin family traveled to Taos and after a brief and unhappy stay the Fechins decided that it was time for a home of their own. In the early winter of 1927, they acquired the property of Dr. and Mrs. Bergman. The Fechins moved into the house and for the next five years remodeled the house.
The construction coincided with the arrival of electricity in Taos in the fall of 1928, and a modern sewage system that arrived in 1930. Electricity made it possible for Nicolai to carve and build at night while he painted during the day. The electric stove, oven and refrigerator were the first in town.
With his carving skills, Nicolai carved the columns, stair rails, vigas, doors, and furniture. As a coppersmith and with the local metal smith, he fashioned light fixtures, door pulls, and hinges. By 1933, Nicolai and Alexandra, with their workmen, had created one of the most exciting homes in Taos. The final result was a 4,000 square-foot, asymmetrical, adobe Pueblo and Mission Revival house, with twenty-four-inch walls.
Unfortunately, the family's joy was short-lived. The couple experienced marital problems, and Nicolai, with his daughter Eya, left their home in Taos. Alexandra stayed in the house and assumed the responsibility of maintaining the property until her death in 1983. After Eya returned to New Mexico, she accepted responsibility of caring for the house. Living in the studio, Eya created the Fechin Institute and maintained active exhibition and education programs until her death in November 2002.
The Board of the Taos Art Museum acquired the Fechin property in 2002 and immediately began to renovate the house and studio and landscape the grounds. The Fechin House was placed on the National Registry of Historic American Homes and the State of NM Registered Cultural Properties in 1979.
Additional Information
227 Paseo del Pueblo Norte
Taos, New Mexico 87571
(575) 758-2690
➠ www.taosartmuseum.org
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