Diego Rivera, the muralist of unwavering social commitment

November 25, 2019 at 12:34 hrs.


Diego Rivera, the muralist of unwavering social commitment


Diego Rivera He is one of the top representatives of the muralism, so the story of his professional and personal life is worthy of a novel.

He was born December 8 of 1886 in Guanajuato, and had a twin brother who shortly after died.

His full name was: Diego María de la Concepción Juan Nepomuceno Estanislao de la Rivera and Barrientos Acosta y Rodríguez.

He studied at the Academy of San Carlos, one of the strongest influences for him was José Guadalupe Posada.

In his youth he was awarded a scholarship to travel to Paris and continue his academic training.

There he had a deep rapprochement with artistic trends in vogue and figures such as Pablo Picasso or Paul Cézanne.

In 1921 he returned to Mexico at the invitation of José Vasconcelos, who saw in the muralism A form of education for the population.

His first large-scale work was The creation at the National Preparatory School, currently the Museum of San Ildefonso.

That's where he met one of the most important women of his life, the painter Frida Kahlo.

Both artists married twice, the first in 1929 and the second in 1940. They stayed together until Kahlo's death.

His career was prolific and relevant in every way, the tasks entrusted to him were national and international.

His works include the mural of the National Palace or the Autonomous University of Chapingo.

Of the last pieces he made are in the University City Stadium or the Insurgentes Theater.

He died in the Mexico City on November 24 of 1957. He donated to his country what is now the Anahuacalli Museum, built by him.

His remains rest in the Rotunda of Illustrious Men.

About Rivera's work

 

Social content was one of the main characteristics of his art.

Rivera, along with José Clemente Orozco and David Alfaro Siqueiros were the most prominent figures of muralism in Mexico.

Thus, they illuminated different public buildings so that art thus reached a majority.

While there was a constant narration in his paintings, also a thorough investigation of the country's history.

He forged and shaped the national identity.

Marxist and communist masterfully reinterpreted different passages that he considered key.

With a revolutionary and controversial ideology at the same time, its social and political commitment He was unbreakable. 

His house was the center of gatherings in which the main figures in all areas attended.

The national culture was the main thread of his work and until now he is recognized as one of the greatest artists of all time.

 

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