Diego Rivera - Artist Biography

Many people consider Diego Rivera to be the most important Mexican painter of the last hundred years. He was known for his mural painting as well as his traditional painting, although his revolutionary combination of fresco painting with modern forms of art was probably one of Rivera's most important contributions. He is credited with essentially founding the movement of Mexican muralism.

Diego Rivera: a Biography
Born in 1886 in Guanajuanto, Mexico, Diego Rivera (like most important artists) displayed a talent for art even in his childhood years. He was the recipient of several art scholarships from the Mexican government, and he was able to travel to Europe to hone his skills. Rivera lived in Paris between 1907 and 1921, and here he came into contact with many of the great masters of the time.

On a trip to Italy in 1920, Rivera was exposed to Renaissance frescos that greatly inspired him. In particular, the murals of Giotto gave Rivera the idea to communicate his ideas and feelings through frescoes. When Rivera returned to Mexico, he would combine his love for frescoes with a desire to commit himself to public art. The murals that he produced as a result of this inspired combination allowed him to bring his art to a wide audience.

Diego Rivera's art has a decidedly populist theme, and he spent his career investigating the state of his people and his country. One great aspect of Rivera's art is his mixing of classic European styles with Aztec and Mayan symbols. Prints of many of Rivera's most important works can be purchased from PosterCheckOut.com.