Panel 21. Modern Industrial Man 1 - The Epic of American Civilization 1934

"Panel 21. Modern Industrial Man 1 - The Epic of American Civilization" (1934) by José Clemente Orozco is a striking mural depicting the harsh realities of industrial labor. The painting portrays figures engaged in physically demanding work, their bodies contorted and obscured by their attire. The use of stark, contrasting colors—primarily blues and browns—emphasizes the gritty, intense nature of their toil. The composition, characterized by dynamic lines and overlapping forms, adds to the sense of movement and struggle inherent in the work. This panel, a part of Orozco's larger "The Epic of American Civilization" series, offers a powerful critique of industrialization's impact on the human condition.