The Modern World During and After the World Wars, C. 1914–1960

Modern Art in Latin America

What is Muralismo?

Muralismo, or Mexican Muralism, is an art movement that developed in the 1920s. Muralismo was characterized by socially aware, nationalistic murals that glorified Mexican history and cultural traditions after a period of political upheaval following the overthrow of the Mexican dictator, General Porfirio Díaz. Three key figures of the movement were Diego Rivera (1886–1957), José Clement Orozco (1883–1949), and David Alfaro Siqueiros (1896–1974). Murals were commissioned by the new government for public spaces such as schools, churches, and government buildings as a celebration of Mexican nationalism and with the idea that art should be accessible to all.