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Emiliano Zapata and his horse by
Diego Rivera. |
Mexican uprising and a good idea on paper
A NEW exhibition at the British Museum tells the story of the Mexican revolution of 1910-20 and the political and social upheavals that swept across the country in its wake.
Revolution on Paper reveals how the new socialist government placed great importance on public art as a vehicle for promoting the values of the revolution when it came to power following the war of independence with Spain in 1910 – advertising ideology before the age of advertising had even began.
This led to a pioneering drive to plaster the walls of public buildings large and small with vast murals, leading to the setting up of a factory dedicated to reproducing works for mass distribution around the country.
Some of the finest pieces of the period were produced by a troupe known as “lost tres grandes”: Diego Revera, Jose Clemente Orozco and David Alfaro Siqueiros.
Most famous of all and the highlight of the show, is the instantly recognisable Emiliano Zapata and his horse by Rivera.
The lithograph is a romantic depiction of the peasant hero and rebel leader who stirred up his people with such slogans as “it is better to die on your feet than live on your knees”.
JAMIE WELHAM
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