Detroit Industry, North Wall 1933

Diego Rivera made this fresco, "Detroit Industry, North Wall," on-site at the Detroit Institute of Arts. The palette is fairly muted, dark blues and grays with flashes of hot reds and yellows, which feels appropriate for a scene of heavy industry. What strikes me is the monumentality he achieves through simple means. Look at the figures in the foreground, how they strain and pull, each rendered with a few broad strokes of color. It’s not about detail; it’s about capturing the essence of labor, the repetitive actions that define the work. And above, those colossal figures with their massive hands. They’re not just workers, they are titans. I’m reminded of some of Léger’s paintings from the same period; both artists shared a fascination with the machine age, but Rivera brings a humanist perspective to it. In the end, this painting isn’t just about factories; it’s about people, about their strength, their struggle, and their place in the modern world.