José Clemente Orozco

One of the truly great artists in the world today is the Mexican muralist, Diego Rivera. While he is represented in the United States, his outstanding works are in some of the public buildings of Mexico City.

SOME OF THE foremost figures in the world of art today are Mexicans. Two of the outstanding are Diego Rivera and José Clemente Orozco, true masters in every sense of the word, both imposing figures in the political and intellectual life of their country. Their creations in the form of mural art are without comparison in the world today and competent critics have ranked them with the finest artists who ever lived. Diego Rivera, a native of the state of Guanajuanto (Gwah-nah-whah-toe), was the son of wealthy parents. As a boy he was brought up in the city of Guanajuato, in many ways the most picturesque city in México. Choosing art for a career, he had the opportunity for study and teaching that unlimited money could buy. He learned to be a good artist. He lived under the dictator, Díaz, saw the Madero revolution sweep the country, felt deeply the lot of the oppressed, sympathized and worked with the leaders of the Revolution to bring about greater opportunities and better conditions for the poor. He championed their cause. He suffered with them and studied them. From them he learned to be a great artist. For Diego Rivera art isn't a pink tea affair

Mexican DIEGO Sketch Book RIVERA

Rivera's murals depict both a deep love of country and sympathy for the downtrodden Hatred of oppression, tyranny shines out in all his works.

Art for the passionately patriotic Mexican, Rivera, is a real force for the advancement of the people. He propounds the revolutionary processes in the teach-ing and education of the masses, in the spread of learning.

a matter of museums and fawning subservience to wealthy collectors. He uses his art as a cudgel, a powerful force to teach the people. You get the impression from his paintings that to be an artist is nothing; but to make your art carry a message for the multitude is everything.

Few Americans have received more press notices in this country than Diego Rivera. A tremendous personality, he has been accused and damned for the Communistic propaganda in his murals. He provokes argument. He is thun-dered at, and he thunders back. But he is sincere in his beliefs and no matter what he preaches you must admire him for the way he preaches.

If for no other reason, one has to admire the tireless industry of the man. His huge mural in the National Palace of Mexico City is a monumental work, but only one of master-pieces he has done in the public buildings of México. His reputation alone could stand on the merits of his fresco on the balcony of the Palacio de Gobierno in Cuernavaca, which was paid for by the late Dwight Morrow, while American ambassador to México. His murals in the Ministry of Education in México or in the Palace of Fine Arts are achievments for any man. But Diego Rivera is still working.