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David Alfaro Siqueiros
(1896-1974)
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| In the grand
scheme of Mexican art, David Alfaro Siqueiros is
considered one of the greatest and most revolutionary of
the Muralists. Other than Rivera and Orozco, no other
Mexican artist has received as much attention for their
socially driven and beautifully constructed murals, and
with good reason. |
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Cain in the United States
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Born in Chihuahua,
Mexico, Siqueiros began his political and artistic
career at an early age. In 1911 while attending the San
Carlos Academy, Siqueiros attended the great strike, and
eventually the Revolution. Throughout his life,
Siqueiros’ passion for his political work and art landed
him in jail and even caused him to be deported. Also
considered a leader in the Vanguard movement, Siqueiros
would often contribute to the anti-government paper, “La
Vanguardia”. |
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The People in Arms
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Because of the starkly
socio-political themes in Siqueiros’ work, he is
generally considered a Social Realist. His style in
particular is rooted in starkly European tradition, with
dark backgrounds that amplify his social message.
However, he also takes on a slightly Fauvist hand at
times with bold colors and passionate sweeping
brushstrokes. Whatever the take on Siqueiros, one can
easily point out his style and techniques in most of his
murals and compositions. |
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Portrait of the Bourgeoise
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Though Siqueiros is
best known for his murals, he also was a fairly prolific
painter. It was during his prison terms that he created
some of his best paintings; most likely because he could
not create murals at this time (although, the
possibility of a jail somewhere in Mexico decorated with
his art is quite likely!). |
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Mujer Con Rebozo, 1949
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One specific example
of his work in captivity: while he was in exile in Taxco
from 1931-1932 he created over one hundred paintings
alone. In 1947, Siqueiros also exhibited over 70 works
at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico. Because he is
more well-known as a muralist, perhaps these works have
been overlooked (and certainly, artwork created in jail
had a better chance of being stolen, smuggled, lost or
destroyed) and the possibility of someone owning his
work is very high. |
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Nuestra Imagen Actual
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In 1924, Siqueiros
also began to create wood carvings while in Guadalajara,
and later on created a great many lithographs as well.
Among his myriad of political achievements was creating
a weekly publication called “El Machete”. This would
eventually be adopted by the Communist Mexican party as
their official paper and communication. |
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Mae Campesina, 1929
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A teacher as well,
Siqueiros apprenticed Jackson Pollack and others and is
also credited as being the first artist ever to
experiment with acrylic and piroxylin paints. |
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Paisaje, 1968
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Though Siqueiros led
an intensely politically-driven life, art was also just
as important to this great Mexican master. |
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Self-Portrait, 1968 |
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