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“El Desembarco de los Españoles y La Cruz Plantada en Tierras Nuevas,” by Ramon Alva de la Canal at the College of San Ildefonso
Ramon Alva de la Canal is a Mexican artist who was an illustrator, educator, engraver, painter, and one of the pioneers of the Mexican Muralist movement. He along with Fermin Revueltas painted the very first frescos in 20th century Mexico. Alva’s “El Desembarco de los Españoles y La Cruz Plantada en Tierras Nuevas,” (“The Landing of the Spaniards and The Cross Planted in New Lands”) illustrates the Christianization imposed upon the indigenous people by the Spaniards during colonization. -
"The Arsenal" by Diego Rivera at Secretariat of Public Education Main Headquarters Mexico City
This mural is both a political and personal piece for the artist. The image shows a mix of proletarians and communist leaders preparing for battle. Frida Kahlo stands at the center, passing out weaponry to her fellow revolutionaries. Behind her, a man holds a communist flag. This painting was a rebellion against the illegalization of communism in 1925 and calls for a proletarian uprising against the oppressive state. Both Diego and Frida were active participants in the Mexican Communist Party. -
"America Tropical" by David Alfaro Siqueiros outside the Italian Hall in Downtown Los Angeles
After escaping to Los Angeles in 1932 as a political refugee, Siqueiros was commissioned to create an uplifting mural in Downtown Los Angeles. The work was considered extremely controversial and was painted over in the 1960s but in 1988, The Getty Conservation Institute restored the mural to its former glory. This mural’s portrayal of the eagle looming over the crucified man is symbolic of the skepticism many members of the Muralist movement had for American imperialism. -
“The Epic of American Civilization” by José Clemente Orozco at the Baker Library at Dartmouth College
Orozco brought his criticisms of society to Mexican muralism. The theme of this mural is the history of Mexico. The first panel depicts pre-European Mexico as being filled with human sacrifice and war, the second panel shows the arrival of the Europeans, and the rest of the panels show the impact of the European invasion and the consequences of industrialization. There are 24 panels in total. These panels also get increasingly more chaotic and overcrowded to emphasize his criticisms. -
“Atentado a los maestros rurales” by Aurora Reyes Flores at the Centro Escolar Revolución
This mural is located at the Centro Escolar Revolución. The title translates to "Attack on Rural School Teachers." It shows two men beating a female teacher in front of what seems like her students. One man has the bottom of his rifle in her mouth while the other is pulling her hair and destroying papers and books. We can come to the conclusion that the working class was being discouraged from learning because of the fear of the upper classes and the government of an uprising and revolution. -
“Daulidad” by Rufino Tamoya at the Museum of Anthropology
“Daulidad" meaning "Duality” is a mural based on an Aztec myth. The Jaguar is a representation of the night god Tezcatlipoca fighting another god, Quetzalcoatl the snake God, for power over the world. The animals, sun, moon, and stars create a symmetrical composition, expressing the necessary balance between these two opposing forces. This painting reminds viewers of Aztec history and the empire that once stood in Mexico city before Cortez and the Spanish invaders arrived. -
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“The Great Wall of Los Angeles” by Judith Baca and 400 artists in Los Angeles
Judith F. Baca was the founder of the first City of Los Angeles Mural Program in 1974, which evolved into a community arts organization known as the Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC). The Great Wall of Los Angeles (The History of California) is a half-mile long mural depicting the history of California through images of significant figures and historic events from diverse and traditionally marginalized communities. -
“The Great Wall of Los Angeles” by Judith Baca and 400 artists in Los Angeles
Judith F. Baca is a Chicana American artist, activist, and professor. The Great Wall of Los Angeles (1976-2013) is a half-mile long mural depicting the history of California through images of significant figures and historic events from diverse and traditionally marginalized communities. The Wall starts with prehistoric times until the 1950s but it is still a work in progress. This wall reflects the lives and concerns of populations that have been historically disenfranchised. -
"Reconstruction" by El Decertor (Daniel Cortez Torrez) in Cochabamba, Bolivia
El Decertor is a Muralist from Lima, Peru who uses his art to remind people of the past and strive for future social changes. This mural is a reminder of the death and destruction of the indigenous people. The name of this mural is “Reconstruction” which implies the rebuilding of the Indiginous people and their culture, while the skull represents their struggles and tragedies the plant symbolizes life showing us that through all of their hardships they still survived and their culture lives on. -
“The Shoe Thief” by Franco “Jaz” Fasoli in Rabat Moroco
Jaz was born in Buenos Aires. His murals deal with the specific struggles and conflicts within the areas that they are painted. In this mural, Jaz depicts a struggle between a man and a tiger while a hand above them is holding a shoe. Not much else is easily recognizable because he likes to highlight the nature of conflict rather than the context. In Morocco where this mural was painted, there has been an extensive amount of political and social turmoil which is well represented in this piece. -
"Igualdade” by Eduardo Kobra in New York City
"Igualdade” meaning "Social Equality" was created by Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra. According to Kobra, the the Mount Rushmore Monument is connected to the principles of independence, liberty, prosperity, and reconciliation. In regards to those principles, Kobra's piece replaces the presidents with the artists Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo, Keith Haring, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. He has immense respect for these artists, recalling the impact that each one of these artists has had on the world.
