What is this?
In 19th and 20th century Mexico, Mexicans were faced with multiple challenges in the form of imperialists trying to take advantage of the Mexican people and land. In many places in Mexico, there existed rich, fertile soil to practice successful agriculture, and developing towns that could potentially become a place of business. Imperialists, especially from Europe, set their eyes on Mexican lands. They believed that Mexico was a good source of money and success. Therefore, imperialists traveled all the way from Europe in order to exploit migrant farmer and other mexican people. In what began in the early 20th century and became known as Mexican Muralism, Mexican artists would draw murals in order to show how European imperialists took advantage of Mexico and posed as an obstacle. The Mexican Revolution helped strengthen the movement even more. This movement even went into the United States of America where Mexican-American were seen drawing murals in order to support their heritage.
Three of the most notable artists at the time, called "the big three," were José Clemente Orozco, Diego Rivera (husband of Frida Kahlo, also an artist), and David Alfaro Siqueiros.
In 19th and 20th century Mexico, Mexicans were faced with multiple challenges in the form of imperialists trying to take advantage of the Mexican people and land. In many places in Mexico, there existed rich, fertile soil to practice successful agriculture, and developing towns that could potentially become a place of business. Imperialists, especially from Europe, set their eyes on Mexican lands. They believed that Mexico was a good source of money and success. Therefore, imperialists traveled all the way from Europe in order to exploit migrant farmer and other mexican people. In what began in the early 20th century and became known as Mexican Muralism, Mexican artists would draw murals in order to show how European imperialists took advantage of Mexico and posed as an obstacle. The Mexican Revolution helped strengthen the movement even more. This movement even went into the United States of America where Mexican-American were seen drawing murals in order to support their heritage.
Three of the most notable artists at the time, called "the big three," were José Clemente Orozco, Diego Rivera (husband of Frida Kahlo, also an artist), and David Alfaro Siqueiros.
Some examples of Mexican Muralism
José Clemente Orozco, Epic of American Civilization: Hispano-America (panel 16), 1932-1934
At first glance of this realistic painting, the peasant in the center of the picture is first seen. I thought it was about a heroic Hispanic man holding a gun, but upon further observation, I realized that it was much more than just that. After studying the painting for a while, I realized that the man is supposed to represent the hard work and dedication that men in Mexico had. I also discovered that those surrounding him were European imperialists who were trying to take advantage of the Mexicans and take all of the money. At the bottom of the painting, Europeans can be seen piling up over the money. You can even spot an imperialist about to literally stab the hero, which is symbolic of European "stabbing the Mexican people in the back" as in betraying them. You can also see blue almost everywhere in the painting, most likely representing all the sadness amongst the Mexican people and broken architectures in the background most likely representing the broken hopes and dreams of the Mexican society.
At first glance of this realistic painting, the peasant in the center of the picture is first seen. I thought it was about a heroic Hispanic man holding a gun, but upon further observation, I realized that it was much more than just that. After studying the painting for a while, I realized that the man is supposed to represent the hard work and dedication that men in Mexico had. I also discovered that those surrounding him were European imperialists who were trying to take advantage of the Mexicans and take all of the money. At the bottom of the painting, Europeans can be seen piling up over the money. You can even spot an imperialist about to literally stab the hero, which is symbolic of European "stabbing the Mexican people in the back" as in betraying them. You can also see blue almost everywhere in the painting, most likely representing all the sadness amongst the Mexican people and broken architectures in the background most likely representing the broken hopes and dreams of the Mexican society.
Diego Rivera, Ancient Mexico, 1929-1935
This realistic painting depicts Spanish colonizers trying to take over Mexico even in the ancient times. At first, I saw Mexicans and Spanish fighting, and later found that more things were taking place. Other things that were taking place include people praying to their gods, performing rituals, and being held captive. This painting really captures the sorrow of the Mexicans because first of all, it shows these types of things taking place even back in the ancient times. Also, the helplessness of the Mexicans also cause a sense of sadness and pity. The bold coloring and shading of the painting makes for stronger character figures.
David Alfaro Siqueiros, Proletarian Mother, 1929
Seeing this realistic painting made me feel down right away. Just the way that the picture is organized (with a sad mother a child on the floor, etc.) makes for a very sad scene. By looking it it, it is clear that the mother is poor, and the family is having a really hard time trying to support the family. The dark colors add another level of depression onto the painting. There is something about seeing such a helpless face on a mother's face for not being able to support her three children and herself. All of it makes for a very sad picture. Siqueiros does a great job in combining all of these aspects to create one emotional painting.
MUJ CRITIQUES
In my opinion, this movement was a very brave and nationalistic feat for the Mexicans to do, and is one of the reasons I respect them. Through art, they were able to express their emotions and even tell stories. Since they did not have much power compared to the European imperialists, painting pictures was a way Mexicans could release their anger and frustration. Painting murals was a way that made the Mexicans seem stronger because there was nothing that could stop them. Contained in these murals was the sorrow in the Mexicans' mind, and even to this day, looking at some of these pictures can make one feel what the Mexicans felt back in their time. The painting of murals for Mexican Muralism was one small step for artists, one giant leap for Mexicans.
In my opinion, this movement was a very brave and nationalistic feat for the Mexicans to do, and is one of the reasons I respect them. Through art, they were able to express their emotions and even tell stories. Since they did not have much power compared to the European imperialists, painting pictures was a way Mexicans could release their anger and frustration. Painting murals was a way that made the Mexicans seem stronger because there was nothing that could stop them. Contained in these murals was the sorrow in the Mexicans' mind, and even to this day, looking at some of these pictures can make one feel what the Mexicans felt back in their time. The painting of murals for Mexican Muralism was one small step for artists, one giant leap for Mexicans.
WORK CITED
• Kleiner, Fred S. "Chapter 35: Europe and America, 1900 to 1945." Art Through the Ages: A Global History. N.p.: n.p., n.d. 958-960. Print.
• "Tulane University." Los Tres Grandes. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. <http://stonecenter.tulane.edu/articles/detail/348/Los-Tres-Grandes-The-Mexican-Muralist-Movement>.
• United States. National Park Service. "The Epic of American Civilization Murals---American Latino Heritage: A Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary." National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. <http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/american_latino_heritage/The_Epic_of_American_Civilization_Murals.html>.
• Pomade, Rota. "Mexican Muralists: The Big Three - Orozco, Rivera, Siqueiros." : Mexico Culture & Arts. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. <http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/1064-mexican-muralists-the-big-three-orozco-rivera-siqueiros>.
• Kleiner, Fred S. "Chapter 35: Europe and America, 1900 to 1945." Art Through the Ages: A Global History. N.p.: n.p., n.d. 958-960. Print.
• "Tulane University." Los Tres Grandes. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. <http://stonecenter.tulane.edu/articles/detail/348/Los-Tres-Grandes-The-Mexican-Muralist-Movement>.
• United States. National Park Service. "The Epic of American Civilization Murals---American Latino Heritage: A Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary." National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. <http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/american_latino_heritage/The_Epic_of_American_Civilization_Murals.html>.
• Pomade, Rota. "Mexican Muralists: The Big Three - Orozco, Rivera, Siqueiros." : Mexico Culture & Arts. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. <http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/1064-mexican-muralists-the-big-three-orozco-rivera-siqueiros>.