Mexican modernism and the role of the muralists

The 20th century was marked worldwide by significant conflicts and profound upheavals. Mexico, in particular, experienced a period of fundamental change, triggered by the great revolution of 1910.

In the first half of the 20th century, Mexico's art scene a radical transformation that caused a worldwide sensation. Driven by a new cultural identity Mexican Modernism manifested itself through impressive murals that conveyed a profound political and social message.

These muralists , led by artists such as Diego Rivera , José Clemente Orozco and David Alfaro Siqueiros , not only shaped Mexico's art scene, but also left their mark worldwide.

Their artworks were to depict selected aspects of Mexican history, specific traditions, and the country's cultural diversity, while simultaneously addressing exploitation by European powers and the associated social problems. Furthermore, they were to offer a hopeful outlook for the future.

The Emergence of Mexican Modernism

After the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920), a strong need for national unity and identity arose. The art movement of Modernism was part of this national renewal

Under the government of Álvaro Obregón, and especially through the education minister José Vasconcelos, art was promoted to educate and integrate the Mexican population.

Mexican Modernism represents a significant artistic movement that flourished in Mexico in the early 1920s following the Mexican Revolution (1910–1920). The establishment of a new constitutional republic in 1917, which focused heavily on land reform and guaranteeing basic human rights for all Mexicans, was a key outcome of this revolution. These advances led to decisive efforts to promote social equality and access to economic and educational opportunities.

In this context, the new government initiated a comprehensive cultural transformation aimed at strengthening the unity of the Mexican people and promoting the pursuit of a clearly defined national identity. The artistic trend that developed after the 1920s was characterized by stylistic diversity and sought to authentically depict Mexico's rich culture and national heritage.

Of particular note is the focus on appreciating the working-class and rural populations, as well as the indigenous communities and their pre-Hispanic traditions.

In this dynamic artistic landscape, art pursued the goal of being educational and vividly depicting the complex history of Mexico, as well as the everyday life and customs of its citizens. At the same time, it aimed to reach and inspire the general public. By making this artistic narrative accessible to people, it contributed significantly to raising awareness of Mexico's rich historical and cultural heritage.

The revolutionary aesthetics

In contrast to European modernism, which often focused on individual expression, Mexican modernism was collective and socially oriented. Artists used large wall surfaces in public buildings to tell stories of the revolution, daily struggles, and indigenous cultures.

The style was monumental, colorful, and distinctive.

Muralism as a defining, popular art movement

Influenced by numerous pre-Hispanic, modern Mexican and European styles, the so-called muralists developed a new, popular art movement that aimed to put an end to the then-prevailing academicism.

Art should no longer be reserved for a limited intellectual circle; rather, it should be accessible to everyone and promote their socialization and political education. This didactic method for conveying specific content had already found great favor in antiquity among the Aztecs and Maya, as well as during the colonial period with the Catholic Church in Spanish America.

Muralism quickly became the central artistic medium of post-revolutionary Mexico , powerfully communicating the ideals of social and political change. Murals were created not only to be accessible and visible to the public, but also to serve an educational function.

In their pictorial representations, they combined allegories deeply rooted in Mexican history. This art form looks back on a long tradition: as early as the pre-Hispanic era, with civilizations such as the Olmecs, Maya, and Teotihuacan, mural painting its expression and represented a tribute to Mexico's cultural heritage.

Under the presidency of Álvaro Obregón (1920–1924), the government launched a comprehensive program for public art. Artists were commissioned to create large-scale murals in public spaces to celebrate national unity after the revolution and to foster a sense of pride and solidarity.

José Vasconcelos, then Mexico's Minister of Education, played a crucial role in coordinating these commissions. Artists such as Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro Siqueiros—later known as "Los Tres Grandes" —marked the walls of public buildings with their impressive works, contributing to the realization of a unique visual language that continues to have an impact today.

In 1921, David Alfaro Siqueiros the Manifesto of the Plastic Artists of the Americas , in which he vehemently affirmed the newly emerging artistic style after the revolution. He emphasized the necessity for art to be the property of the people and a reflection of the histories of Mexico's indigenous population. Siqueiros called for a

monumental and heroic art, a human and public art,"

which is based on the immediate and vivid examples of our great masters as well as on the extraordinary cultures of pre-Hispanic America.

Between the 1920s and 1950s, mural painting developed into a style that not only contributed to the creation of a new Mexican identity but also served as a source of inspiration for numerous other artistic movements that decisively shaped modern art in Mexico. These large-scale murals were highly figurative and impressively effective—as exemplified by Orozco's 1926 study of a torso for the murals at the National Preparatory Institute.

Furthermore, they honored Mexican history and drew attention to the social conditions of the working class. In doing so, they reflected on the traditions of the Mexican people and related their indigenous cultures to their Spanish colonial past. This dynamic interplay later became known as Mexicanidad, or Mexican identity, deeply rooted in both indigenous and national heritage. The interest in representing Mexicanidad developed into a central aspect of the Mexican Modernist movement.

In summary, the emergence of modernism in Mexico was significantly influenced by mural painting and continuously evolved through various art forms and styles. From easel paintings and photography to figuration and abstraction, as well as the integration of geometric patterns and the creation of dreamlike landscapes – all these genres and styles merged and defined a new artistic trend in Mexico that was both rich and diverse.

The Muralists: Ensemble of Revolutionary Voices

The muralists acted as narrators of Mexican history. Their works were heavily influenced by the events of the revolution and social inequalities. They consciously used their art as a tool for social change.

Diego Rivera

Rivera is undoubtedly the most famous of the muralists. His works at the Escuela Nacional Preparatoria and the National Palace in Mexico City are widely known. Rivera's style blends elements of European art with Mexican roots.

His murals aim to strengthen Mexican identity through depictions of indigenous culture and revolutionary heroes.

The best-known works of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera—including Kahlo’s iconic self-portrait “Diego on my Mind” (1943), which poignantly documents her deep connection with the famous artist, as well as “Autorretrato con Monos” (1943), which depicts the significance of monkeys as symbols of innocence and freedom; and Rivera’s masterful “Autorretrato” (1930) and the striking “Retrato de Natasha Gelman” (1943)—reveal not only Mexico’s rich art history but also the passionate devotion with which artists reflected social and political movements during the Mexican Revolution (1910–1920) and in the three decades that followed.

These works invite us to understand the complex emotions and cultural context that shaped this era.

José Clemente Orozco

Orozco, the darkest and most expressive of the three main muralists, often depicts the tragedies of human life and the violence of the revolution in his works.

His work at the Hospicio Cabañas in Guadalajara is a striking example of his uncompromising style.

David Alfaro Siqueiros

Siqueiros brings a particularly dynamic and technological perspective to the murals. He used new materials and techniques and was strongly inspired by socialism. His murals often depict scenes of class struggle and revolutionary solidarity.

Important works of muralism and their influence

The muralists' works had not only a cultural but also an educational purpose. They served as "textbooks" for the largely illiterate population, making complex historical and social contexts accessible.

"The History of Mexico" at the National Palace, Mexico City

One of Diego Rivera's most impressive works is the epic "History of Mexico" in the National Palace. These murals stretch across several walls and depict the entire history of Mexico, from indigenous culture through the colonial period to the revolution.

Hospicio Cabañas, Guadalajara

José Clemente Orozco's most powerful work is undoubtedly his "La Prometeo" series at the Hospicio Cabañas. These murals depict the ambivalence of progress and destruction and are a powerful testament to the social tensions of his time.

Polyforum Cultural Siqueiros, Mexico City

David Alfaro Siqueiros immortalized his vision at the Polyforum Cultural Siqueiros with "The March of Humanity ," considered the world's largest mural. This work impressively combines political, social, and futuristic elements.

Brief analysis of the social impact of the murals

The murals of Mexican muralists had a profound social impact on Mexican society and beyond. They were more than just works of art; they functioned as a political and social medium through which issues such as inequality, social justice, and national identity were addressed.

It is important to consider the social impact of murals in several key areas:

Education and awareness

The murals acted as publicly accessible "textbooks," communicating historical and contemporary events as well as social problems. For many Mexicans, especially in rural areas who lacked access to formal education, the murals were an important source of information.

By depicting indigenous cultures and telling the story of the revolution, the murals helped to foster a collective consciousness and national identity.

Political mobilization

By visually representing important social and political issues, the murals contributed to political mobilization. The public was encouraged by the artworks to confront social injustices and fight for change.

Siqueiros, known for his socialist leanings, used murals as a means to call for solidarity and class struggle.

Social integration and inclusivity

The murals promoted the integration of diverse social and ethnic groups by acknowledging and highlighting the diversity and contributions of indigenous cultures. Diego Rivera's works often emphasized the importance of Mexico's indigenous past and placed it within the context of the modern, post-revolutionary nation.

By including a wide variety of social groups, the murals created a space for dialogue and inclusivity.

Public space and democracy

Murals made art accessible to everyone, regardless of social or economic background. In the era before mass media and the internet, such a ubiquitous art form was revolutionary. They contributed to the democratization of public space and made important cultural and social messages widely visible and understandable.

International Reception and Influence

The wave of muralists spread far beyond Mexico's borders. Their ideas influenced artists in the USA and Europe. In the 1930s, Rivera worked in Detroit and New York, where he created monumental works that addressed American industrial landscapes and labor struggles.

Diego Rivera's Rockefeller Center mural

One of the most famous and controversial episodes of the muralist movement was Diego Rivera's unfinished mural at Rockefeller Center in New York. Rivera's "Man at the Crossroads" included a portrait of Lenin, which led to the mural's removal.

This event symbolized the collision between art and politics and emphasized the revolutionary power of the muralists.