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Detroit Industry (South Wall)
This was one of Diego Rivera's most famous murals, finished in 1933. The eyes are most drawn to the machinery due to the fact that it is present throughout the whole painting. One word that best describes this painting is labor, because it is full of people working and labor. (Rivera, 1933, p.514) -
The Two Fridas
This is a painting by Frida Kahlo made in 1939. It depicts her sitting next to herself, one in typical Mexican attire and the other in a European-style dress, one cutting her heart, the other handing her a scissors. Some think that this represents her having an imaginary friend at a young age, but others think this represents her state after Diego Rivera left her (Walston, 2024)
(Kahlo, 1939, p.525) -
Man, Controller of the Universe
This mural was made by Diego Rivera in 1934. It is open to discussion about what it represents, but it could represent the power of humanity and how humans believe that they "Control the universe." (Rivera, 1934, p. 494) -
Letter to Ella and Bertram Wolfe
This is a letter written by Frida Kahlo in 1934 describing how her life is getting worse and how Diego and she are "not truly friends anymore." She also says that she wants Diego to "actually care for her." She says that they are growing apart and that she is getting ignored by him. (Kahlo, 1934, p.506 -
Photo of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo
This is a photo of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo taken in 1939. Comparing and contrasting their clothes, Diego has more of a business casual outfit and Frida has a more traditional Mexican outfit. (Bettmann, 1939, p.509) -
Self-Portrait with Thorns Necklace and Hummingbird
This is a painting by Frida Kahlo made in 1940. The setting of the painting is in a leafy forest. Wrapped around Frida's neck is a neckless of thorns with a hummingbird pendant. The meaning of this painting is up for debate but it could represent the pain she went through and the hardships of her life while also showing that there were good moments in her life. (Khalo, 1940, p.502) -
Dream of a Sunday Afternoon on the Alameda Central
This is a mural by Diego Rivera made in 1947. One's first impression upon seeing this painting might be that it is a perfect world. Something that might jump out at a person is that there are people of all races and ages all together, united. (Rivera, 1947, p.526) -
Excerpt: "Frida Becomes My Wife"
This is an autobiography by Diego Rivera, published in 1960. In it, Rivera meets Frida for the first time. Frida comes to Diego looking for an honest opinion on her artwork and whether she should continue painting. Rivera was impressed by her unique style and the honesty conveyed in her paintings. (Rivera, 1960, p.495) -
Excerpt: "Life with Frida"
This Excerpt is from a book written by Guadalupe Tivera and Marie-Pierre Colle. In it, the author states that "Frida often went further than Diego in expressing her 'Mexican-ness.'" By this, they might mean that she did more according to Mexican culture. The authors also describe their kitchen and how it contributed to the overall "typically Mexican" feel by saying that it was a meeting place and had Mexican colors and art in it.] (Rivera Colle, 1994, p.515) -
Detroit Industry: The Murals of Diego Rivera
This is an article written by Don Gonyea for NPR in 2009. This article is an informal piece made to inform people about Diego Rivera's work, Detroit Industry. It tells about things like the fact that Diego Rivera was given one rule while making the painting: it had to represent Detroit and its industry, hence the name. It also tells that the public was angered at it for two big reasons: they thought it was blasphemous and foolishly vulgar. (Gonyea, 2009, 503)