Monumental Diego Rivera

For an in-depth story of modern fresco painting, see the PBS Home Video featuring artist Mark Balma “Fresco: The Ancient Art of Fresco Comes Alive,” and also the web site truefresco.com.

He Celebrated Mexico

Diego Rivera was a fascinating figure – larger than life in more ways than one. He possessed a personal power and a dominating personality of flair and pomp, at times polishing off whisky, starting fights, brandishing a pistol. It is said he never weighed less than 300 pounds. While not in the least attractive, Rivera liked to be seen with beautiful women. He was instrumental in the promotion of Mexican cultural nationalism. He and his wife, Frida Kahlo, were at the center of the public eye, in the midst of countless socialist demonstrations, always celebrating Mexican heritage. Rivera played an integral role in reviving the art of the mural. He had complete technical mastery over the art form.

As a young man, Rivera studied in Spain with the Spanish avant-garde. Next he arrived in Paris to study Cubism, and exhibited several paintings in the Societé des Artistes Independants. He completed his Adoration of the Virgin and Child, his first work to successfully incorporate Cubism. Next while painting under the influence of Cezanne, he became fascinated with the sensuous quality of Renoir's work. Rivera decided to travel to Italy to study Renaissance art.

When Rivera returned to Mexico, he was appointed by the government to create mural art. He traveled to Yucatán to view ancient sites, and started with a history of Mexico on the main stairway of the Palacio Nacional. In 1931 Rivera was invited to begin a series of murals in the U.S.

After his initial experimentation with Cubism, Rivera preferred a classic style. He painted realistic portrayals of life and human development, always with wit and feeling. He used a simplified and colorful style, capturing the most significant concepts in Mexican history: the earth, the farmer, the laborer, the customs, heroes, and popular characters. His aim was to foster Mexican consciousness and tie Mexican roots with contemporary culture.

Man of Contradictions

Diego Rivera remained a controversial figure throughout his career. In addition to being a celebrated and provocative artist, he was also a political activist who incited debate not only in Mexico, but also in the USA and Soviet Union. He was full of puzzling ironies. For instance,

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