DIEGO RIVERA

1886-1957

He was born in Guanajuato, Mexico.

In 1896 entered at the Academy of San Carlos and just after his first exhibition the Governor of Vera Cruz saw he was really talented and granted him to continue his studies in Europe.

In 1907 he went to Spain and two years later to Paris where he was fascinated by the works of Cezanne, Mondrian and Picasso.

But his work was a product of different influences. We may see in his works a mix of cubism, impressionism, barroc and Aztec art.

And, of course, the modernism of Latin America so well expressed in the murals he created. Those portraits of the daily life of peasants, indigenous people and revolucionary figures.

He was married 4 times, but the third one with the painter Frida Kahlo was the most important.

Rivera was an atheist and refused to represent religious images unless they were useful as social observations.

A lifelong Marxist he was an active member of the Communist party.

In 2000 I had the chance to see an exhibition of his works at the Helsinki City Art Museum, in Finland. Not only oils but several water colours, gouaches, pastels and drawings. And also a few photos of him and his wife Frida. Wonderful exhibition.

"el vendedor de alcatraces", 1933

"friday of sorrows"

the milliner portrait of Henri de Chatillon, 1944

"agrarian leader", Zapata

"the burning of the Judases"

"grinding maize",  1924

"sleep"

"refiner of sand"

"Carnival of Mexican Life Dictatorship", 1936

"proletarian unity"

portrait by Frida Kahlo, 1937

with his wife Frida Kahlo,  1933

self portrait, 1941

 "the conquest of Mexico"

Portrait of  Lupe Marín, 1938

self portrait, 1907