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Get Art Reproductions Frozen Assets, 1931 by Diego Rivera (Inspired By) (1886-1957, Mexico) | ArtsDot.com

Frozen Assets



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Introduction to the Artist and Painting

Diego Rivera was a renowned Mexican painter, born in 1886 and died in 1957. He is known for his frescoes, which often depicted Mexican society and history. One of his notable works is Frozen Assets, created in 1931-1932. The painting measures 188 x 239 cm and is currently housed at the Museu de la Chasse et de la Nature (França).

Analysis of Frozen Assets

In Frozen Assets, Diego Rivera coupled his appreciation for New York’s distinctive vertical architecture with a potent critique of the city's economic inequities. The panel’s upper register features a dramatic sequence of largely recognizable skyscrapers, most completed within a few years of Rivera’s arrival in New York. In the middle section, a steel-and-glass shed serves as a shelter for rows of sleeping men, pointing to the dispossessed labor that made such extraordinary growth possible during a period of economic depression.

Social Commentary and Artistic Style

The painting is divided into three horizontal registers, each representing different aspects of New York City's urban landscape. The upper register features a series of skyscrapers, including the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building, which were among the tallest buildings in the world at the time. These buildings are depicted with sharp lines and precise details, reflecting Rivera’s appreciation for their architectural design. In contrast, the middle register shows a stark contrast to the upper one, highlighting the plight of the city's homeless population and the economic disparities that exist in the city.
The use of Social Realism in Frozen Assets is reminiscent of other notable artists, such as David Alfaro Siqueiros, who also explored themes of social justice and inequality in their work. For more information on Diego Rivera and his artistic style, visit https://ArtsDot.com/ADC/Art.nsf/Art_EN?Open&Query=diego+rivera,diego,rivera&.
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Diego Rivera

Diego Rivera: A Pioneer of Mexican Muralism

Early Life and Training

Diego María de la Concepción Juan Nepomuceno Estanislao de la Rivera y Barrientos Acosta y Rodríguez, known as Diego Rivera, was a prominent Mexican painter born on December 8, 1886, in Guanajuato, Mexico. His large frescoes helped establish the Mexican mural movement in Mexican art.

Artistic Career

Rivera's artistic journey began at the age of three, and he later studied art at the Academy of San Carlos in Mexico City. He was sponsored to continue his studies in Europe by Teodoro A. Dehesa Méndez, the governor of the State of Veracruz. In 1907, Rivera arrived in Europe, initially studying with Eduardo Chicharro in Madrid, Spain, and later moving to Paris, France, where he became part of the Montparnasse artistic community.

Notable Works and Contributions

  • Creation (1922), his first significant mural, painted in encaustic at the Bolívar Auditorium of the National Preparatory School in Mexico City.
  • Dreams of a Sunday in the Alameda, which sparked controversy due to its depiction of atheism.
  • His murals at the Secretariat of Public Education in Mexico City, begun in September 1922, showcasing his unique native style with large, simplified figures and bold colors influenced by Aztec art.

Personal Life and Later Years

Rivera's tumultuous marriage to Frida Kahlo, a fellow Mexican artist, is well-documented. He died on November 24, 1957. View more of Diego Rivera's artworks on WahooArt: Explore more artists and their contributions to art history on WahooArt:

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