By: Noelia Orozco,8th Griffi n Middle School

ART CRITICISM

Jose Clemente Orozco•

“Zapatistas”

Oil on Canvas,1931

DescriptionIn the painting “Zapatistas” by Jose Clemente

Orozco I see that there are people holding swords dressed in Mexican clothes walking through a mountainous terrain. Also, he a rather intriguing technique that makes the artwork look fierce and symbolic. He uses smooth brushstrokes to create a smoothed texture which makes the painting look easy to look at and enjoyable. He painted this painting horizontally. He uses a variety of warm colors with a hint of cool colors which creates that traditional Mexican feeling. The artist really uses the whole canvas to depict his painting.

AnalysisMr. Orozco emphasizes one specific woman by

making her clothes have cool colors instead of warm colors like the rest of the people. The men in front are in a line which shows a use of repetition. He uses proportion by making the mountains look small and the people look bigger; this also shows a sense of space. The painting has lots of principles of design, but by the way he makes them blend so well, the artwork looks very unified.

InterpretationIn the painting “Zapatistas” by Jose Clemente Orozco, I see

five men on horses guiding the people below whom are carrying swords. From this I can predict that the painting might be depicting men and women going to war. The background for this painting has mountains, so I can infer that the terrain is cold and dry. Furthermore, Mexico City is surrounded by mountains and the background for the painting is also mountains, so I can infer that the painting takes place in Mexico City The people I see are dressed in traditional Mexican clothes and since the painting was made in 1931 I can infer that the painting is taking place during the Mexican Revolution against the Spanish.

Ordinary civilians during this time were called “Zapatistas.” Hints the name of the actual painting. The people seem fierce and ready to fight like their fierce ancestors, the Aztecs, did once.

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Judgment In my opinion Mr. Orozco’s painting is very

successful in conveying his story. NO wonder he is in the hall of fame of Mexican artists during the Mexican Revolution. Through his painting you can feel the feeling of unity and the need for independence which is incredible. I can definitely fins this piece of artwork impactful by the way he uses art to create a story. The only thing he could've done differently, in my opinion is that he should’ve shown where the “Zapatistas were going to and why they were holding swords. Overall I think that Jose Clemente Orozco’s painting “Zapatistas was a success.