Diego Rivera

Diego Rivera’s (1886–1957) Detroit Industry fresco cycle in the Detroit Institute of Arts is the finest Mexican-style mural in the United States. Completed in nine months, between July 1932 and March 1933, the murals are a tribute to Detroit industry and labour, and Rivera considered the cycle to be the most successful work of his career. Throughout the mural Rivera celebrates the harmonies between man, nature and machine. The cycle begins on the east wall, which depicts the origins of human life and technology. The panels on the west wall represent technologies of air and water and introduce the automobile industry. The north wall is devoted to representations of two races of humanity, the automobile industry and scenes from other major Detroit industries: medicine, pharmaceuticals and commercial chemicals. Panels on the south wall primarily depict the production of an automobile body. This unique volume details the murals across horizontal and vertical fold-out sections ideal for the paintings’ size and scope. A lively text includes information on the artist and his technique, the patron (Edsel Ford) and a detailed analysis of the various panels that make up the fresco cycle.