In this article, I will briefly describe the life and works of Diego Rivera. My personal favorite is Young Man in a Gray Sweater, but there are many other great works from this famous Mexican artist that you should know as well. I also discuss the influence of Paul Cezanne, Cubism, and Frida Kahlo. Hopefully this article will help you to understand the work of this incredible artist. Let's begin by talking about the artist's early years.
Youth Man in a Gray Sweater
"Young Man in a Gray Sweater" by Diego Rivera is one of his most well-known paintings. This oil painting depicts a young man in a gray sweater. It was created in 1914 and is located in the Museum of Modern Art, New York. While its subject matter is unknown, it is believed that Rivera was inspired by his time spent in Paris and his friendship with Picasso.
Although Diego was a member of the Communist Party, his paintings often attacked capitalism and the ruling class. His figures were created to represent his political beliefs and show the daily struggles of the modern worker. Unlike most other Mexican painters, he rarely painted portraits of his subjects. He would instead paint portraits of close friends or people who had inspired him. Despite his violent temper, Diego Rivera believed in the power of democracy and wanted to change the culture of his country.
Influence of Paul Cezanne
The Impressionists influenced the work of many Mexican artists, including Diego Rivera. Though he was rarely at home in the salon society of Paris, Rivera found a connection with Pablo Picasso and the Cubists. After a meeting with Picasso, Rivera studied and imitated the styles of Cezanne, Gauguin, and Seurat. His friendship with Gris helped him develop his own style.
The influence of Cezanne's paintings on Rivera's work is often understated, but it is worth mentioning. Much of Rivera's early work was in the form of murals. He painted several murals in Mexico City, including many that were based on the era of the Mexican Revolution. Many of the works were created in collaboration with other artists. In addition to murals, Rivera also created works for the United States and Europe, including murals.
Influence of Cubism
While living in Paris, Diego Rivera became familiar with the Cubist movement, and studied the works of artists such as Georges Braque and Paul Derain. He also spent many hours studying the paintings of Cezanne, whom he admired. Upon returning to Mexico, he exhibited his first solo exhibition in 1910. This trip also coincided with the Mexican Revolution. Afterwards, he spent time in Europe, where he became part of the Cubist movement.
An exhibition devoted to Diego Rivera's relationship with Pablo Picasso will showcase his work as well as those of his Spanish contemporaries. The exhibit includes two galleries of paintings, which will reveal Rivera's relationship with his Spanish friends. In his autobiography, Rivera described Picasso as his "Spanish friends" and admired Ignacio Zuloaga and Joaquin Sorolla.
Influence of Frida Kahlo
The influences of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo on Diego were evident as he began to paint during the 1920s. He was fascinated with the pre-Hispanic culture of Mexico and sought to portray it in his art. He was also influenced by the Mexican folk culture. Kahlo called him an artist of the highest magnitude and a master painter of her time.
Both Kahlo and Diego Rivera were influenced by the works of each other. Frida Kahlo looked up to Diego and asked him for advice on his own career. Diego recognized her talent and encouraged her as she grew in her art. In 1929, Diego and Frida married. The two continued to inspire each other. Frida and Diego were married and worked together for over 25 years.
