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An art movement that was meant to inspire nationalism and pride in Mexico.
:Educational, depicted the history of Mexico from its indigenous roots, to its Independence, and its future.
:Tried to depict a utopian, post-revolution future.
:Anti-Bourgeois
:Indigenismo- a reclamation of Mexican indigenous identity outside of colonial definition that was also gaining power at this time and influenced this movement as well! -
The original movement originated in 1920s Germany. Unlike Frida's Magic Realism, focused less on social critiques.
:Used exquisite detail and unusual perspective trying to convey the majesty of observable reality.
:Frida's however was less expressionistic, more academic, and more symbolic than surreal.
:She specifically used the symbols that were common in her work to explore how she felt about her body and her lived experiences. -
Diego Rivera, The Liberated Earth with the Natural Forces Controlled by Man, Mural, 1926, 6.9x5.9m, Chapel, Autonomous University of Chapingo, Texcoco, Mexico.
: Depicts a utopian Mexico, with muscular and idealized forms, along with a pregnant woman at the center.
: this utopian Mexico is achieved through a social revolution and the adoption of new technologies. -
Jose Clemente Orozco, Prometheus, 1930, Fresco, 240x342inches, Pomona College, Claremont California.
: One of the first modern frescos of the United States.
: Depicts the Titan Prometheus gifting flame to mortals after stealing it from the gods; then being punished by Zeus. (Narrative)
:a variety of people who are wanting, waiting or rejecting this flame(of knowledge) but ultimately it is for the better? (Educational) -
Diego Rivera; Man, Controller of the Universe, 1934, Fresco, 190.9(4.85m)x450.8(11.45m)inches, Palace of Fine Arts, Mexico City.
: Depicts a potential socialist revolution.
: Got under fire in New York, however, because of his inclusion of Lenin in the right half of the painting. It was summarily destroyed, but reproduced in Mexico City.
: It does mock women, as seen in the left portion, so I don't know if it's entirely utopian. -
Frida Kahlo; My Grandparents, My Parents, And I; 1936, oil and tempera on zinc, 12.1x13.6inches, MoMA, New York.
: This painting takes some hallmarks from Surrealism, with its odd, dreamlike qualities
: She shows her relationship with her family members, connecting to her through this red ribbon she holds.
:Her father's family floats over the ocean, while her mothers floats over the land, showing Frida's connection to Mexico, but also a connection to a far off land (Germany). -
Frida Kahlo, The Two Fridas, 1939, Oil on canvas, 67.7x67.7inches,MoMA, Mexico City, Mexico.
:The arteries connect the two Fridas, despite them being so different.
:The Frida on the left has scissors and an open artery, along with a broken heart, implying her divorce and hurt associated with Diego Rivera.
: Along with the change in dress from a European to a more traditional Mexican dress, this helps associate a sense of pain and loss with her German family half. -
Jose Clemente Orozco, Father Hidalgo, 1949, Fresco, (Unknown Size as of posting), Guadalajara, Mexico.
: This priest is famous for calling the Indian people to revolt in 1810.
:They didn't succeed, but he's considered to be an influential figure in Mexico's future independence.
:Orozco does condemn this Catholic priest as well, however, as the priest seems to be holding fire to a group of people as well, forcing them to move(and by extension, revolt). -
George Tooker, The Subway, 1950,tempera on composition board,18.5x36.5inches, Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, New York.
: An unnerving dreamscape subway station, isolation is felt throughout the painting, especially with all the subway hallways fading off into the distance and further underground as well.
: There's also a large amount of men who, despite their separation, stare at the woman at the center, where we feel her anxiety in her face and as her hand hovers over her middle. -
George Tooker, Government Bureau, 1956, egg tempera on wood, 19.6x29.6inches, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
: that same dreamy isolation is prevalent with the bureau stretching back infinitely.
: Heavily critiques the obfuscation that the government engages in to keep information and by extension power from its citizens.
:It does this through the faceless citizens featured throughout the painting, with only the clerk's faces being clear and pointed at the viewer, despite the odd angles. -
“Father Hidalgo (1949; Guadalajara, Mexico) by Jose Clemente Orozco.” Artchive, 24 Aug. 2024, www.artchive.com/artwork/father-hidalgo-jose-clemente-orozco-1949-guadalajara-mexico/.
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“MoMA: Collections, My Grandparents, My Parents, And I.” The Museum of Modern Art, www.moma.org/collection/. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
Bravo, Dr. Doris Maria-Reina. “Smarthistory – Frida Kahlo, the Two Fridas (Las Dos Fridas).” Smarthistory, 9 Aug. 2015, smarthistory.org/kahlo-the-two-fridas-las-dos-fridas/.
“George Tooker: The Subway.” George Tooker | The Subway | Whitney Museum of American Art, whitney.org/collection/works/3052. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025. -
“The Liberated Earth with Natural Forces Controlled by Man (La Tierra Fecunda), 1926-27. Mural, 6.92 ...” Scala Archives, search.scalarchives.com/id/01522990. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
“José Clemente Orozco’s Prometheus.” José Clemente Orozco’s Prometheus | Pomona Museum, www.pomona.edu/museum/collections/jos%C3%A9-clemente-orozcos-prometheus. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025. -
“George Tooker - Government Bureau - the Metropolitan Museum of Art.” George Tooker - Government Bureau - The Metropolitan Museum of Art, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/488943. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
Harris, Dr. Beth, and Dr. Steven Zucker. “Smarthistory – Diego Rivera, Man Controller of the Universe.” Smarthistory, 4 Apr. 2016, smarthistory.org/diego-rivera-man-controller-of-the-universe/.