Rivera was the guest of honor at a lecture on contemporary Mexican and Latin American art, which took place in Moscow on November 9, 1927, and he himself gave several lectures at the Academy of Fine Arts, criticizing easel painting.
Diego Rivera first came to the Soviet Union in the fall of 1927, on the eve of the 10th anniversary celebrations October revolution- and sketched scenes of the demonstration on Red Square in a notebook, preparing forty-five watercolors and many pencil sketches. Some of these watercolors by Rivera were subsequently acquired by Abby Rockefeller as material for a mural in the Rockefeller Center building in New York, which was destroyed at the request of the US government in 1933. A number of sketches were published in Cosmopolitan magazine in September 1932, illustrating Emil Ludwig's article on Stalin.
35.
Original
Rivera was the guest of honor at a lecture on contemporary Mexican and Latin American art, which took place in Moscow on November 9, 1927, and he himself gave several lectures at the Academy of Fine Arts, criticizing easel painting and calling for attention to the traditions of applied folk art. He plunged headlong into the controversy surrounding the problems of the new revolutionary art, becoming close to the October group, and actively supported the Trotskyist opposition. This caused sharp and sometimes rude criticism of him, and forced him to interrupt his visit early.
36.
Original
“I will never forget my first impression in Moscow - the organized marching movement of people. Early in the morning snow was falling from the sky. The marching mass was dark, compact, united rhythmically, elastic. The swimming movement of a snake that was more beautiful than any reptile I could imagine. It slowly floated from narrow streets to open squares, it had no end.”
12.
Original
These are drawings from the Museum of Modern Art in New York (MoMA), which houses Rivera's workbook, which he filled with pencil and watercolor sketches during his six-month stay in the USSR. All the sheets have the date “28” next to the autograph, but it is assumed that 1927 is also there. Thank you clervo for the update, then a piece of his post.
1-6. This and the next five sketches are everyday ones. Some objects are recognizable, it seems, at the level of genetic memory: a stove in a city house, a washbasin and a basin on a stool under it, a bookcase with books and a bust of Ilyich. Communal apartment? May be.
1.
Original
2.
Original
3.
Original
4.
Original
5.
Original
6.
Original
The seventh drawing from the notebook repeats the sixth (or is this a mistake made when placing the scans on the museum’s website?), so we immediately move on to the eighth sheet from the artist’s notebook.
8-10. Moscow streets decorated for the holiday. Probably some kind of working outskirts. I can’t recognize the area, nothing comes to mind.
8.
Original
9.
Original
10.
Original
11-16. People gather for a demonstration. The start of the movement to the city center is preceded by a rally. While slogans are blaring from the podium, workers in light dresses are either discussing something or preening themselves.
11.
Original
13.
Original
14.
Original
15.
Original
16.
Original
From this sheet to the end of the notebook - Red Square and the approaches to it, interspersed with sketches of portraits of demonstrators and spectators of the May Day action.
17.
Original
18.
Original
19.
Original
21.
Original
22.
Original
23.
Original
24.
Original
25.
Original
26.
Original
27.
Original
28.
Original
29.
Original
31.
Original
32.
Original
33.
Original
34.
Original
37.
Original
Where is that place? There was an idea that the Sukharev Tower was in the background, but the buildings depicted on the right refute this assumption.
38.
Original
39.
45.
.
shakko: In 1955-1956, having restored relations with the pro-Soviet Communist Party of Mexico, Rivera once again visited the USSR, painting “May Day Celebration in Moscow” in oil on canvas. And in this picture the demonstration was again going through Red Square.
And here is the famous panel “A man at a crossroads, looking with hope to choose a new and better future,” which Rockefeller commissioned him for his center in New York in 1933. The fresco was almost ready when they saw Trotsky, Lenin, and so on. She was shot down and Rivera was no longer given a job. The color photo is her author's repetition at the Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City.
Fragments
Lenin, Trotsky, Engels and Marx, holding a red banner on which is written the call: “Workers of all countries, unite in the Fourth International!”
Unity of workers. Portrait of America. 1933
But the Russians in Rivera’s portraits (mostly Parisian acquaintances).
These are two versions of "Portrait of Maximilian Voloshin" (1916). It's really similar!
Some artist Zinoviev (1913), no initials.
UPD rumenica
Alexander Petrovich Zinoviev. Painter, graphic artist, set designer. I came from Moscow to study in Paris, but stayed there. I knew Rivera.
https://artinvestment.ru/auctions/2375/biography.html 
"Portrait of Marevna", 1914, a Russian Parisian artist who was Rivera's mistress and mother of his daughter Marika 
"Motherhood", ca. 1916
Portrait of Angelina Beloff, another Russian artist, Rivera's first legal wife. Here she is with their son Diego (he lived only two years).
Portrait of Ehrenburg. 1915. Meadows Museum (USA)
And here's what's interesting:
In 2019 at the Pushkin Museum and Tretyakov Gallery Moscow will simultaneously host exhibitions of works by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and her husband Diego Rivera.
“We imagined that it would be ideal to make two exhibitions at once, connected to each other: in the Pushkin Museum - an exhibition of Frida Kahlo, and in the Tretyakov Gallery - an exhibition about Diego Rivera and the important tradition that connects him with Soviet art, to compare Rivera’s monumental works with the works of Soviet monumentalists such as Alexander Deineka,” says Marina Loshak, director of the Pushkin Museum. The works of Frida Kahlo will form the core of the “Day of Death” exhibition, which will be held at the Pushkin Museum and will be dedicated to the Mexican holiday of the dead.
Diego Rivera- artist-painter and muralist, who painted many beautiful paintings and frescoes. He was involved in politics and visited the USSR several times, and was friends with Lenin and Trotsky.
Biography
Diego Riveraborn December 08, 1886 in the northwestern part of Mexico. His family was famous and wealthy. At the age of 10, the boy began to acquire drawing skills at the Academy of Arts. Diego immediately became interested in art, and thanks to this he made progress. For his excellent studies, the boy received a scholarship, which allowed him to move to Spain. For a long timeDiego Riveratraveled around Europe, gaining knowledge and gaining experience. Here the young man meets famous artists such as Picasso and Reyes.
Artist Diego Riveraformed his style under the influence of various movements: modernism, classical European art, cubism, Mexican art.
Political activity
In 1922, Rivera became interested in politics and joined the Communist Party in Mexico; later he even decided to go to the USSR. Here he takes an active part in the activities of the October association and supports the communists.
A few years later, the artist changes his views in favor of Trotskyism, but the murder of the founder of the movement forces him to join Stalin’s main course.
Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo was the name of the bride and future wife of the famous artist. She was born into a simple Mexican family. Despite the serious illness (poliomyelitis) that Frida suffered in childhood, her cheerful disposition and perky character were hers. distinctive features. At the age of 18, the girl gets into a car accident and damages her ribs and collarbone. A huge number of operations and a long recovery period took many years and left a big mark on her health. The girl was constantly forced to wear a corset, and doctors also said that she would not be able to have children. The sad event brought her even closer to the main passion of her life - painting. This passion introduced the girl to the famous artist.
Personal life of a famous artist
The artist's first wife was Lupe Marin. Their marriage did not work out, and they soon divorced. At the time of meeting his future second wifeDiego Riverawas already a grown man and an accomplished artist. Moreover, he was known as a great womanizer, despite his unattractive appearance. He was quite heavy (more than 100 kg) and ugly. He was even compared to an elephant and a toad. External flaws did not prevent Rivera from enjoying great success with women. His sociability and charm captivated anyone.
The couple met in the schoolyard, where the artist was helping to decorate the walls. The girl decided to show him her work, as a result, their communication first grew into friendship, and soon Rivera asked for the hand of a young girl. He was not embarrassed by her illness and the fact that she could not walk.
Family life
The newlyweds had a fiery temperament, and disagreements often ended in quarrels. The young bride was never afraid to point out to her husband the shortcomings in his work, which greatly offended her husband. He left, but always returned with gifts. Frida loved jewelry very much. It doesn’t matter what it is: stones, glassor real diamonds.
Despite Frida's diagnosis, the couple always dreamed of children. Frida Kahlo was pregnant three times, and three times she had a miscarriage. The family did not despair, and soonDiego Riveradecides to take his wife to the USA to undergo treatment there.
Frida did not like life in America. The USA surprised with its magnificence and indifference to others. Frida, who saw the wrong side of life, could not understand this. Here a woman suffers a serious illness, which only reduces her chances of getting pregnant.
During this time period, Diego Rivera painted the famous mural for Rockefeller Center, which depicted Lenin, among other characters. He joined the hands of the workers. Despite the demand to replace the face of a Russian politician with the face of a stranger, Rivera refused to change anything. He did not receive a cent for his work, and in 1934 the fresco was destroyed. The painter later recreates his famous work in the Palace of Arts in Mexico.
Friendship with Trotsky and family destruction
In 1936, the political situationin the USSR forces Trotsky to flee persecution to Mexico. Here he finds refuge in the house of an old friend of the artist.Rivera and Trotsky became very close and became real friends.
Discord in the family occurred when Diego Rivera found out about the affair between his wife and his close friend. Trotsky was fascinated by his friend’s wife, but Frida did not experience such strong feelings. She wanted more revenge on her unfaithful husband. The politician had to leave his friendly home, and the couple’s relationship only began to deteriorate. Despite his constant infidelities, the husband could not forgive Frida for deceiving her.
Soon decide to break up. During this period of time, Frida's health only worsened. She underwent several difficult operationsFrida. Diego RiveraI couldn’t forget my wife. Time and other relationships could not kill the feelings, and in 1940 they married again. The illness tormented Frida until her last days, and in 1954 she passed away.
During her life, Frida wrotemany famous paintings, one of which was even placed in the Louvre.
Diego Rivera, paintingswho is known all over the world, lived without his beloved wife for only three years. He died in Mexico, and was buried on the territory of the Rotunda of Famous Creators.
Diego María de la Concepción Juan Nepomuceno Estanislao de la Rivera y Barrientos Acosta y Rodríguez (Spanish: Diego María de la Concepción Juan Nepomuceno Estanislao de la Rivera y Barrientos Acosta y Rodríguez; December 8, 1886 - 2 November 4, 1957) - Mexican painter, muralist, left-wing politician.
Diego Rivera was born on December 8, 1886 in the city of Guanajuato in northwestern Mexico into a wealthy family. On his father's side he came from the Spanish nobility. Diego had a twin brother who died at the age of two. His mother was a Converso, a Jew whose ancestors had converted to Catholicism.
From 1896 to 1902, Rivera took drawing and painting lessons at the Academy of Fine Arts of San Carlos in Mexico City. He was awarded a scholarship which allowed him to travel to Spain. From 1907 to 1921 he lived in Europe. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Madrid (1907), then lived and worked in Paris (1909-1920), in Italy (1920-1921), and also visited Belgium, the Netherlands and Great Britain. He was closely acquainted with the Parisian artistic elite, including Pablo Picasso and Alfonso Reyes.
For six months, Rivera's lover was Marevna (real name Maria Bronislavovna Vorobyova-Stebelskaya (1892-1984)), a Russian artist and memoirist of Polish origin, who gave birth to his daughter Marika (1919), who later became an actress.
Rivera was influenced by both classical European fine art (he studied wall paintings from the 14th to 16th centuries) and modernism, in particular cubism. Traditional Mexican artistic genres and styles are very close to him.
In 1922, Rivera joined the Mexican Communist Party, and in the same year he married a second time, to Guadalupe Marin.
In 1927, the artist came to the USSR, where in 1928 he became a founding member of the October association.
Rivera took part in the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution in Moscow. During the military parade and demonstration on this occasion on Red Square, he was on the podium of the Mausoleum of V. I. Lenin. He made dozens of sketches of participants in the celebration in Moscow. These drawings were shown in an exhibition of Rivera's work at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Later, Rivera began to adhere to Trotskyist views; in 1929 he left the Mexican Communist Party and, after Trotsky’s arrival in Mexico, gave him shelter in his house. Then a conflict arose between them. On August 7, 1939, Rivera was expelled from the Mexican section of the Trotskyist 4th International.
Over time, he took a position consistent with Stalin's course, and in 1954 he rejoined the Mexican Communist Party.
Rivera worked in the United States in 1930-1934 and 1940. Since 1922 he became one of the founders of the Mexican school of monumental painting, painting a huge number of walls public buildings and creating in this regard a small form of fresco.
One of the main themes in Rivera's work is folklore stories, beliefs and customs of the people of Mexico, as well as the revolutionary movement in the country.
In 1932-1933, Rivera created the mural "Man at the Crossroads" commissioned by Rockefeller Center in New York. The most significant in this fresco, representing the world of capitalism as the world of exploitation of man by man and the world of socialism as the world of victorious workers, were the images of V. I. Lenin joining the hands of workers, and demonstrations on Red Square in Moscow.
The mural was destroyed in 1934 by decision of the Rockefeller Center board (as officially announced by the center) after Rivera refused to replace the image of Lenin with “an image of the face of an unknown person,” as stated in a letter from the center’s lawyer. At the same time, Nelson Rockefeller did not pay the artist a fee. Later, the artist went to Detroit, where he made good money.
This is part of a Wikipedia article used under the CC-BY-SA license. Full text of the article here →
Details Category: Fine arts and architecture of the 20th century Published 10/01/2017 17:57 Views: 1505Diego Rivera's life is a chain of contradictory events and facts. This is one of the most scandalous and prominent cultural figures in Mexico.
He excited public opinion with his creativity, political views and personal life throughout the first half of the 20th century.
From the biography of the artist (1886-1957)
Diego Maria de la Concepcion Juan Nepomuceno Estanislao de la Rivera y Barrientos Acosta y Rodriguez - this is his full name. The future artist was born on December 8, 1886 in the city of Guanajuato in northwestern Mexico into a wealthy family. From 1896 to 1902, Rivera took drawing and painting lessons at the Academy of Fine Arts of San Carlos in Mexico City. From 1907 to 1921 he lived in Europe: he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Madrid (1907), then lived and worked in Paris (1909-1920), Italy (1920-1921), Belgium, the Netherlands and Great Britain. He was closely acquainted with Pablo Picasso and Alfonso Reyes (Mexican writer).
He was influenced by classical European fine art and modernism (mainly cubism), as well as traditional Mexican artistic genres and styles.
D. Rivera “Adoration of Our Lady” (1913)
In 1922, Rivera joined the Mexican Communist Party.
In 1927, the artist visited the USSR and even became a founding member of the “October” association here, participated in the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the October Socialist Revolution in Moscow, being on the podium of the Mausoleum of V. I. Lenin. I made sketches of the participants of the celebration in Moscow.
Rivera later accepted Trotskyist views, left the Mexican Communist Party and, after Trotsky arrived in Mexico, gave him shelter in his home. After a conflict between them in 1939, Rivera was expelled from the Mexican section of the Trotskyist 4th International.
Then, having become a supporter of Stalinism, in 1954 he again joined the Mexican Communist Party. In 1955-1956 the artist came to the USSR again.
D. Rivera “May demonstration in Moscow” (1956)
Diego Rivera died on November 24, 1957 in Mexico City and was buried in the Rotunda of Eminent Persons.
Rotunda of Eminent Persons– a site on the territory of the Civil Pantheon of Dolores in Mexico City. Here lie the ashes of famous military men, scientists, and prominent cultural figures of Mexico.
Rivera was married three times. His last wife was the artist Frida Kahlo, the main woman in his life.
Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Photo from 1929
The work of Diego Rivera
In 1922, he became one of the founders of the Mexican school of monumental painting, and painted a huge number of walls of public buildings. He painted the buildings of the Ministry of Education (1923-1929), the Ministry of Health (1929-1930), the National Palace (1929-1950s), the Prado Hotel in Mexico City (1947-1948), the National Agricultural School in Chapingo (1926-1927 ), the Cortez Palace in Cuernavaca (1929-1930), the Detroit Institute of Arts (1932-1933), the Insurgentes Theater (1951-1953), the Olympic Stadium in Mexico City (1952-1953), the Lerma River Water Distribution Chamber (1951-1953 ).
Olympic Stadium in Mexico City
In the 1930s he became one of the most famous artists in Mexico.
One of the main themes in Rivera’s work is folklore stories, beliefs and customs of the people of Mexico, and the events of the revolutionary movement in the country.
In 1932-1933 Rivera created the mural “Man at the Crossroads” by order of the Rockefeller Center in New York. It depicted V.I. Lenin joining the hands of workers and demonstrations on Red Square in Moscow.
D. Rivera “Man at the Crossroads”
D. Rivera. Fresco fragment
The fresco consisted of three parts. In the center is a man - the master of the elements. Two worlds are opposed to each other: socialism with all its advantages - and the horrors of capitalism.
The Rockefeller Center board ordered the mural to be destroyed in 1934 after Rivera refused to replace the image of Lenin with another, unknown image.
The artist recreated the fresco in Mexico City in the Palace of Fine Arts (but an image of Trotsky had already appeared on it). The fresco was called "The Man Who Controls the Universe."
D. Rivera “The Man Who Controls the Universe” (detail with the image of Trotsky)
For several years after 1934, he was engaged primarily in easel painting. He worked in oil and watercolor techniques, preferring portraits and landscapes.
Beginning in 1940, Rivera again turned to fresco painting: he worked for the World Exhibition in San Francisco and painted the National Palace in Mexico City.
Easel painting by D. Rivera
Although the artist’s main work was wall painting and monumental fresco, easel painting occupied a significant place in his work. The Cubist period began around 1913 and did not last long, 2-3 years. Rivera quickly mastered avant-garde styles, achieved perfection in their interpretation and moved on to the next style or direction. He always eagerly learned new things, Picasso became a real discovery for him.
D. Rivera. Portrait of a Man (artist Zinoviev) (1915)
Most of Rivera's works are devoted to political themes. Rivera and Frida Kahlo were communists, actively participated in demonstrations, and met with Russian emigrants.
D. Rivera “Triumph of the Revolution” (1926)
The characters in the picture distribute food and feed children and women. Rivera places the wheel directly behind the head of the character pictured on the left. This is not a halo in the literal sense of the word, but not a single detail in Rivera’s paintings is accidental.
In all his works, the artist focuses on the movement and richness of the landscape.
D. Rivera "Twilight in Acapulco" (1956)
All critics note the features of the artist’s style, which no one could repeat. Or rather, his work is a mixture of styles: realism, symbolism, expressionism, surrealism...
D. Rivera “The Hands of Dr. Moore” (1940)
The canvas depicts the hands of a doctor with a scalpel cutting a tree. Instead of a tree, if you look closely at the picture, you can easily see a female figure, and its roots resemble blood vessels. At the bottom of the painting there is an inscription on the tape: “These are the hands of Dr. Clarence Moore from Los Angeles, from California. They prune the tree of life so that it is renewed and does not die. Painted by Diego Rivera in 1940." Thanks to this caption, the symbolism of the image becomes clear: the doctor cuts the umbilical cord at the birth of a new life.
D. Rivera “Dream of a Sunday in Alameda Park.” Central fragment (1948)
This painting is an image of the traditional Mexican holiday - Day of the Dead. The multi-figure composition includes all layers of Mexican society: portraits of contemporaries, representatives of the Mexican elite, and the poor. The main character of the work is a figure wearing a mask resembling a skull (Katrina mask).
We usually devote the “10 Unknowns” column, which appears on the website every Monday, to forgotten and little-known works of art kept in the collections of Moscow museums, or unobvious masterpieces presented in temporary exhibitions. But in some cases, we collect for you guides to the virtual museum of one artist or art movement in order to tell about the most striking or unusual masterpieces of world culture located in different parts of the world.
Diego Rivera. Self-portrait for Irena Rich. 1941
December 8th marked the 130th anniversary of the birth of Diego Rivera (1886–1957), Mexico's most famous artist, husband of Frida Kahlo and committed communist. About the work of the brilliant master - in the new material of the “10 Unknown” section.
Diego Rivera. House over the bridge. 1909
Diego Rivera is a Mexican painter, muralist, graphic artist, husband of Frida Kahlo (twice), lover of all Mexico, communist, revolutionary, cubist, symbolist, expressionist and one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. In Russia he is not so widely represented: everything that is known about him most often comes down to the history of his relationship with Frida.
Rivera's earliest works, which he painted between the ages of 18 and 25, continued the traditions of classical European painting. Landscapes in the spirit of Cezanne, still lifes reminiscent of the works of Matisse - all this spoke of the artist’s close acquaintance with French painting of his contemporary period.
Diego Rivera. Breton girl. 1910
Rivera was also familiar with the works of old masters: the portrait of a Breton girl and a number of other portraits are close in spirit to the works of, for example, John Vermeer. It is easy to imagine them on a par with the famous “Girl with a Pearl Earring” or “The Milkmaid”, despite the fact that these paintings are separated by almost 300 years. Rivera easily imitates traditions and enriches them with modern impressionistic techniques. Notice how sweepingly and textured the girl’s face or clothes are written: Diego has perfectly mastered the achievements of Monet and Manet.
Diego Rivera. Portrait of Adolphe Best Mogar. 1913
Only a few years will pass, and Rivera will stand on a par with Pablo Picasso, stepping over the history of impressionism. The period of passion for cubism in the work of the Mexican artist was short-lived - it lasted only two or three years. Rivera quickly mastered the manners of avant-garde masters, achieved perfection in their interpretation and, realizing that he had exhausted the means of their artistic expression, moved on to the next style or direction. He was always eager to learn new things, but Picasso became a real discovery for him.
Diego Rivera. Portrait of two women. 1914
The first acquaintance with cubism, rather, repelled Rivera from such painting: he liked compositional techniques, but he did not accept the destruction of the subject. In earlier works we see how holistic, voluminous and textured he depicts visible forms, while the Cubists broke them into fragments. Rivera begins to closely study the works of Picasso and Georges Braque, the founders of the movement, as well as the main manifestos of cubist painting, and gradually understands that everything that once seemed chaos to him represents consistent logic. It was not for nothing that Diego and the Cubists started from Cezanne’s discoveries: Picasso took the next step in the analysis of form, and Rivera had to obediently follow him.
Diego Rivera. The triumph of the revolution. 1926
A huge part of Rivera's works is devoted to political themes. Rivera and Frida Kahlo were communists, actively participated in demonstrations, and met with Russian emigrants: it is known that Leon Trotsky lived in their house. In Rivera's work, this theme often intersected with national motifs and religious motifs and images, intertwining into single complex plots. The heroes of the film "Triumph of the Revolution" distribute food and feed children and women. Rivera places the wheel directly behind the head of the character shown on the left. Of course, this is not a halo in the literal sense of the word, but not a single detail in Rivera’s paintings is accidental.
Diego Rivera. Wall Street Banquet. 1928
Like any communist, Rivera was a critic of capitalism. He created a whole series of paintings condemning the vices of society. Among them are "Night of the Rich", "Night of the Poor", "Death of a Capitalist" and "Wall Street Banquet". These works are structured in the same way: a long vertical format, a narrow, cramped space of the picture and on top - a slogan written on a red ribbon framing the image inscribed in the arch. At the "banquet" all the guests drink champagne while sitting under a huge bank safe. A symbolic gold vein stretches across the entire table (by the way, veins and blood vessels connecting people were one of the main motifs in the work of Frida Kahlo), and right in front of the viewer, in the center of the foreground, there is a table lamp in the form of the Statue of Liberty, symbolizing America.
Diego Rivera. The hands of Dr. Moore. 1940
Dr. Moore from Los Angeles, a friend of Rivera, gave him this painting. This is not a traditional portrait: the canvas depicts the hands of a doctor with a scalpel cutting through a tree. If you look closely, you can easily see a female figure instead of a tree, and its roots resemble blood vessels. At the bottom of the picture on the tape there is an inscription: “These are the hands of Dr. Clarence Moore from Los Angeles, from California. They are pruning the tree of life so that it is renewed and does not die. Painted by Diego Rivera in 1940.” Thanks to this caption, the deep symbolism of the image becomes clear: the doctor cuts the umbilical cord at the birth of a new life. Such a painting could well have been painted by Frida - it was completely in her spirit. It is also known that Rivera considered himself Kahlo's inspiration and teacher.
Diego Rivera. Portrait of Natasha Zakolkova-Gelman. 1943
Frida was Rivera's main love. They married twice, and their violent southern temperaments led to such quarrels and scandals that all of Mexico knew about. However, Rivera never painted her portraits: he depicted hundreds of models on his canvases, but never her. Maybe it was a sign of special respect. There is an interesting detail in this portrait: Diego was very fond of white callas and often depicted them in paintings.
Diego Rivera. A dream about a Sunday afternoon in Alameda Park. 1948
The painting "A Dream of a Sunday in Alameda Park" is dedicated to the traditional Mexican holiday - Day of the Dead. The multi-figure composition includes a huge number of portraits of contemporaries, representatives of the Mexican elite in ceremonial dresses and the poor lower classes, and in fact, of all layers of Mexican society. The main detail of the work, revealing the whole essence of what is happening, is a figure in a mask resembling a skull - the so-called Katrina mask. This character was created by Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada in 1913 and became the central character of folk festivals.
Diego Rivera. May demonstration in Moscow. 1956
Diego died in 1957. He worked until the last day, resurrecting and realizing his long-standing plans. One of the last major works was “The May Demonstration in Moscow.” The artist came to the capital twice - in 1928 and 1956. On his first visit, he met Soviet photographers and artists, gave lectures at the Comacademy, participated in city planning and the development of the design of household items, and signed manifestos.
On May 2, 1928, he hastily left the USSR, taking with him notebooks with sketches and sketches. The true reasons for the artist’s imminent departure remained unknown, but in 1929 he left the Mexican communist party and took a tough anti-Stalinist position, while remaining a categorical anti-capitalist. In the painting "May Demonstration" Diego Rivera accurately and recognizable depicts the corner of the Kremlin and the Historical Museum, St. Basil's Cathedral and Lenin's Mausoleum. At the same time, the demonstration itself is rather an impression of what was seen: millions of people merge into a single stream flowing to Red Square.