Diego Rivera's "La Siesta"
Museum Report: Diego Rivera's "La Siesta"
On Tuesday, November 2, 2004 I attended the San Antonio Museum of Art. The painting that left the most lasting impression was Diego Rivera's "La Siesta." The painting, a "snapshot" of indigenous Mexican life, had the biggest reaction because of my Mexican background. I also chose this painting because Diego Rivera was a Mexican artist. Diego Rivera went through many artistic phases during his life and in his later years, Rivera focused his art works on the native culture of Mexico. This reoccurring theme can be seen in his painting "La Siesta." The reason that Rivera decided to place such emphasis on the Mexican culture was not only because it was self-satisfying for him but also to educate foreigners about the beauty behind his culture. He also wanted to inform others that there is a lot of arduous and laborious work that the ingenious people must do to stay alive. Although in this painting Rivera shows the leisurely side of Mexican's lives, with the mother and her children taking a "siesta" or nap. He also believed that the "popular style" art works that he created about everyday life would be more meaningful to his culture than the abstract techniques that were being used in Europe at the time. Rivera, born in 1886 in Guanajuato, Mexico is one of the best known Mexican artists of the 20th century. During his adolescent years, Rivera studied at the San Carlos Academy in Mexico City. At age 21 Rivera was given a governmental scholarship to study in Spain. Rivera later on lived in Paris where his circle of friends included many intellectuals and artists. In 1921 Rivera returned to Mexico, where he took a government job to create several public murals. Rivera was labeled the father of the Muralist Movement because of these works. Later on in his life Rivera led the Social Realist style that helped him connect with his fellow Mexicans. The painting "La Siesta" was created by Rivera in 1926 and the canvas used has
On Tuesday, November 2, 2004 I attended the San Antonio Museum of Art. The painting that left the most lasting impression was Diego Rivera's "La Siesta." The painting, a "snapshot" of indigenous Mexican life, had the biggest reaction because of my Mexican background. I also chose this painting because Diego Rivera was a Mexican artist. Diego Rivera went through many artistic phases during his life and in his later years, Rivera focused his art works on the native culture of Mexico. This reoccurring theme can be seen in his painting "La Siesta." The reason that Rivera decided to place such emphasis on the Mexican culture was not only because it was self-satisfying for him but also to educate foreigners about the beauty behind his culture. He also wanted to inform others that there is a lot of arduous and laborious work that the ingenious people must do to stay alive. Although in this painting Rivera shows the leisurely side of Mexican's lives, with the mother and her children taking a "siesta" or nap. He also believed that the "popular style" art works that he created about everyday life would be more meaningful to his culture than the abstract techniques that were being used in Europe at the time. Rivera, born in 1886 in Guanajuato, Mexico is one of the best known Mexican artists of the 20th century. During his adolescent years, Rivera studied at the San Carlos Academy in Mexico City. At age 21 Rivera was given a governmental scholarship to study in Spain. Rivera later on lived in Paris where his circle of friends included many intellectuals and artists. In 1921 Rivera returned to Mexico, where he took a government job to create several public murals. Rivera was labeled the father of the Muralist Movement because of these works. Later on in his life Rivera led the Social Realist style that helped him connect with his fellow Mexicans. The painting "La Siesta" was created by Rivera in 1926 and the canvas used has