Diego Rivera
1886-1957 · Mexican (Guanajuato/Mexico City) · Mexican Muralism
Known for: Master muralist who painted vast public works celebrating Mexican history, indigenous culture, and workers' struggles
Rivera was a communist muralist who created vast public works celebrating the Mexican working class, indigenous culture, and revolutionary struggle. His Detroit Industry Murals are among the great masterpieces of public art.
He was enormous (over 300 pounds), charming, a compulsive liar about his own biography, and a serial womanizer. He sheltered Trotsky in Mexico (then discovered Trotsky was sleeping with Kahlo). He worked on scaffolding for months with incredible speed and stamina.
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