Diego Rivera: Europe to Mexico - Mary-Anne Martin

Featuring paintings and works on paper dating from Rivera’s studies in Paris and extensive travels through Italy before returning to Mexico to lead the Mexican Mural Renaissance. Included in this exhibition is a drawing of a surgical operation that Rivera witnessed in Paris in the clinic of Dr. Jean Louis Faure, selections from his 1920-21 Italian sketchbook, and lively market scenes and studies of children and indigenous “tipos mexicanos.” A highlight is the tender 1935 portrait of Delfina and her son Dimas; Delfina modeled for the artist and became part of his household in the 30’s when he was married to Frida Kahlo. Supplementary material includes “Vigil” an important, rarely seen 1929 painting by José Clemente Orozco, which was included in his first show in New York at Alma Reed’s Delphic Studios. This work was cited in “The Art News” as one of the best paintings in the show.

Works on View

An oil painting of a peasant woman holding a sleeping child. — Diego Rivera, *Delfina y Dimas*, 1935

A watercolor of a girl in a checked skirt and bright yellow blouse holding a blue bundle on her head. — Diego Rivera, *Little Girl with Yellow Blouse*, 1948

A watercolor of a boy in white pants, a red checked shirt, and a straw hat holding a bundle and a picnic basket. — Diego Rivera, *Little Boy with Basket*, 1948

A watercolor of a Mexican woman, wearing a pink apron, sitting in front of a row of cacti and making tortillas — Diego Rivera, *Woman Making Tortillas*, c. 1944

A watercolor of a man, dressed in white with a straw hat, carrying many clay pots. — Diego Rivera, *Vendedor de cántaros*, 1945

Diego Rivera, Portrait of a Man in Profile, 1947

A watercolor in earth tones of a man's head and shoulders. He wears a large pointed brown hat. — Diego Rivera, *Campesino con sombrero*, 1936

Diego Rivera, Cargador de flores