Conquest and Revolution 1931

Curator: We are looking at Diego Rivera's “Conquest and Revolution” from 1931. He rendered it in tempera and acrylic paint, truly embedding it as a mural. Editor: Wow, the scale is breathtaking, isn’t it? A whirlwind of figures and colors, chaos held within these architectural frames. It feels deliberately overwhelming. Curator: Rivera was deeply involved in the materials themselves, wasn’t he? Considering how tempera is bound by emulsion and pigment, his labor becomes the material of this grand statement, reflecting his own revolutionary political alignment. How that's brought to life on such a massive scale is central to Mexican Muralism. Editor: Absolutely. Rivera wasn't just painting history; he was engaging in a historical act. Think of the audience intended for this, their access to this kind of grand historical narrative versus traditional academic paintings—he was making it for the people, accessible in public space, turning the very architecture into a socio-political canvas. Curator: Considering that approach, it's also vital to observe how the labor put in, not only of Rivera's hand but also his studio assistants, shapes its very texture. Notice the calculated juxtaposition of colors, which could be from both the tempera's slow process of mixing and his late implementation of acrylics for its flexibility in open-air projects, speaks of material negotiation of craft to create art accessible to all. Editor: Precisely! He's taking ownership of historical narratives, challenging dominant narratives about Mexican history—especially with all the political figures within these frescos—but also critiquing the museum or elite patron model, ensuring that even its construction reflects the revolutionary message. Curator: So here, material reality and sociopolitical agenda melt seamlessly. The tempera, the acrylic, and the human labor become intertwined with a historical and accessible narrative for the people. Editor: An incredibly powerful way to explore and redefine public engagement with art and its messages! I am still floored with the immersive history that surrounds me by way of this great work.