Revolutionary Art in Mexico

Dan Robartes

Muralism

One of the most important forms of art in Latin America is muralism.

Muralism transformed the culture of Mexico and basically put Mexico on the map in the art world.

• The Mexican Muralism movement, which took place mainly in the 1920s and 1930s was led by José Clemente Orozco, Diego Rivera and David Siqueiros.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViLS2EWZjng

• “Del Porfirismo a la Revolucion” by David Siqueiros is an embodiment of the discontent against the dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz.

• On the right is the upper class who supported the government of Porfirio Diaz and on the left is a growing proletariat army

• Two figures in the center wrestle over the Mexican flag.

• On another part of the wall Porfirio Diaz sits surrounded by dignitaries, paying no attention to the chaos that is building up around him.

• Detail of mural showing Porfirio Diaz

• Proletarian Mother is a Siqueiros painting which shows the despair and poverty of families in rural areas during the Mexican Revolution.

• Diego Rivera was another of the most influential Mexican muralists. His most famous work is his massive depiction of Mexico’s history at the National Palace.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68pShpmnCM4&feature=related

• Diego Rivera’s “Creation”

• What do you notice about this painting that differentiates it from similar European religious frescoes?

• The style of the painting is similar to Italian frescoes and shows a religious scene. The halos and gold backgrounds are uniquely Byzantine. However the features of the people are clearly indigenous Mexican features.

• Giving Mexican features to a traditionally European subject is an example of Mexican nationalism.

• Jose Clemente Orozco’s painting of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a leader in the Mexican War of Independence against the Spanish in the early 1800s.

• “The Mother’s Farewell” by Orozco showed the tragedy of war on a much more personal level.

• Orozco often used women as subjects and liked to show their relationships with soldiers.

Discussion

• How did Mexican murals affect politics, culture, social change in Mexico?

• They made people aware of the atrocities of war. Encouraged revolution and social change.

• Spread socialist ideology, showed the struggle of the “common man.”

• Gave people in Mexico a strong sense of nationalism and pride

Does Mexican muralism remind you of any other cultures we have looked at?