Ten Best Things to See at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

The ten best things to see at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) include works by Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and Andy Warhol.

Inside the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) is one of the most prestigious contemporary and modern art museums in the United States. Since its founding in 1935, SFMOMA has amassed an impressive collection of over 33,000 works, ranging from painting and sculpture to photography, media arts, and immersive installations.

Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned art enthusiast, the museum offers an extraordinary journey through groundbreaking artistic movements and visionary creators.

Below are the ten best things to see at SFMOMA, each offering a unique glimpse into the evolution of modern and contemporary art.

Entrance to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Ten Best Things to See at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

1. "The Flower Carrier" by Diego Rivera (1935)

One of the most iconic works in SFMOMA’s collection, The Flower Carrier by Diego Rivera, is a masterpiece of social realism. Painted in 1935, this work depicts a laborer struggling under the weight of a massive basket of flowers, symbolizing the burdens of the working class.

Rivera, a key figure in the Mexican muralism movement, used bold colors and simplified forms to convey both beauty and hardship. The painting reflects his Marxist ideals and his commitment to representing the struggles of ordinary people.

The composition is striking—the peasant kneels under the basket while a woman, likely his wife, helps him rise. The vibrant flowers contrast with the somber tone of the figures, emphasizing the irony of beauty born from toil. Rivera’s work remains a powerful commentary on labor and inequality, making The Flower Carrier a must-see for anyone interested in politically charged art.

2. "1947-A" by Clyfford Still (1947)

Clyfford Still was a leading figure in Abstract Expressionism, and 1947-A is one of his most significant works. This large-scale painting features jagged, flame-like forms in deep blacks and rich reds, evoking raw emotional intensity. Still rejected traditional composition, instead creating dynamic, chaotic surfaces that challenge viewers to interpret meaning for themselves.

SFMOMA houses an unparalleled collection of Still’s works, thanks to a major bequest from the artist’s estate. 1947-A exemplifies his belief in art as a spiritual experience, free from representational constraints. The painting’s sheer size and visceral energy make it a commanding presence in the museum, offering a profound encounter with mid-20th-century abstraction.

3. "Self-Portrait" by Frida Kahlo (1940)

Frida Kahlo’s Self-Portrait (1940) is a mesmerizing exploration of identity, pain, and resilience. Painted during a tumultuous period in her life, this work depicts Kahlo with a thorn necklace, a hummingbird dangling from it, and a monkey and cat lurking behind her.

The imagery is deeply symbolic—the thorns represent suffering, while the hummingbird, often associated with life and hope, appears lifeless, suggesting inner turmoil.

Kahlo’s unflinching gaze confronts the viewer, asserting her strength despite physical and emotional pain. As one of the few Kahlo paintings in a U.S. museum, this piece is a rare treasure at SFMOMA. It encapsulates her unique blend of surrealism and autobiography, making it an unforgettable highlight.

4. "Double Elvis" by Andy Warhol (1963)

Andy Warhol’s Double Elvis is a seminal work in the Pop Art movement, showcasing his fascination with celebrity culture and mass production. The silkscreen painting features two ghostly, gun-toting images of Elvis Presley, derived from a film still. Warhol’s use of repetition and faded ink creates a sense of fleeting fame and the commodification of identity.

This piece exemplifies Warhol’s critique of consumerism and media saturation. By presenting Elvis as both heroic and disposable, Warhol questions the nature of stardom. Double Elvis is a striking example of how Pop Art transformed everyday imagery into high art, and its presence at SFMOMA underscores the museum’s strength in postwar American art.

5. "Untitled (New York)" by Jean-Michel Basquiat (1981)

Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Untitled (New York) is a raw, frenetic explosion of graffiti-inspired marks, text, and symbols. Basquiat, a prodigious figure in the 1980s art scene, blended street art with neo-expressionism, addressing themes of race, power, and urban life. This work features his signature crown motif, skeletal faces, and fragmented words, creating a chaotic yet deeply poetic visual language.

SFMOMA’s acquisition of this piece highlights Basquiat’s enduring influence. The painting pulses with energy, reflecting the artist’s rapid, instinctive process. For visitors, it’s a chance to witness the brilliance of an artist who redefined contemporary art before his tragic death at 27.

6. "The Bride Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors, Even (The Large Glass)" by Marcel Duchamp (1915-1923, replica at SFMOMA)

Marcel Duchamp’s The Large Glass is one of the most enigmatic works of the 20th century. While the original resides in Philadelphia, SFMOMA displays a meticulous replica. This conceptual masterpiece, made of oil, wire, and lead foil on glass, depicts an absurdist "love machine" where mechanical bride and bachelor figures engage in a futile erotic encounter.

Duchamp’s work defies traditional aesthetics, embracing chance and intellectual play. The Large Glass influenced countless artists, from Surrealists to postmodernists. Seeing it at SFMOMA offers insight into Duchamp’s radical rethinking of art itself.

7. "Frieda and Diego Rivera" by Frida Kahlo (1931)

Another Kahlo masterpiece at SFMOMA, Frieda and Diego Rivera, portrays the artist standing beside her husband, Diego Rivera. Painted early in their marriage, the work reveals their complex dynamic—Kahlo appears diminutive next to Rivera, yet her gaze is steady and self-assured. The detailed rendering of their clothing and hands reflects Kahlo’s meticulous technique.

This painting is a fascinating study of love, power, and identity. Kahlo’s inclusion of a small dove bearing the inscription "Here you see us, me Frieda Kahlo, with my beloved husband Diego Rivera" adds a personal touch. It’s an essential piece for understanding Kahlo’s life and art.

8. "Ocean Park 79" by Richard Diebenkorn (1975)

Richard Diebenkorn’s Ocean Park 79 is a luminous example of his geometric abstractions. Part of his famed Ocean Park series, this painting balances soft pastel hues with precise lines, evoking the light and landscape of California. Diebenkorn’s work bridges Abstract Expressionism and Color Field painting, offering serene yet intellectually engaging compositions.

SFMOMA’s strong holdings of Bay Area art make this a standout piece. The painting’s meditative quality invites prolonged viewing, revealing subtle shifts in color and form.

9. "The City" by Fernand Léger (1919)

Fernand Léger’s The City is a vibrant celebration of urban modernity. This Cubist-inspired work fractures the metropolis into bold geometric shapes, overlapping signs, and mechanized figures. Léger sought to capture the dynamism of industrialization, using stark contrasts and rhythmic patterns.

As a key work in early modernism, The City reflects the optimism and chaos of postwar Europe. SFMOMA’s version allows visitors to experience Léger’s revolutionary vision firsthand.

10. "Your body is a battleground" by Barbara Kruger (1989)

Barbara Kruger’s iconic text-based work Your body is a battleground confronts issues of gender, power, and consumerism. Originally designed for a pro-choice march, the piece features a split-image woman’s face overlaid with bold, accusatory text. Kruger’s use of advertising aesthetics subverts mass media’s influence.

This work remains urgently relevant, exemplifying SFMOMA’s commitment to politically engaged art. Its bold visual language ensures it leaves a lasting impression.

More Information

For opening hours and other information visit the website of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

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