Title: Mexican Muralism - Concepts & Styles | TheArtStory
Headings: Mexican Muralism - History and Concepts
Mexican Muralism - History and Concepts
Mexican Muralism
Beginnings of Mexican Muralism
Mexico's Traditional Murals
The Mexican Revolution
A Government-backed program
Los Tres Grandes
Escuela Nacional Preparatoria
Mexican Muralism in the USA
Mexican Muralism: Concepts, Styles, and Trends
Revolution
Socialism
Industry
Religion
Later Developments - After Mexican Muralism
Key Artists
Do Not Miss
Important Art and Artists of Mexican Muralism
Related Movements & Topics

Content: A Government-backed program
In 1920, the new government decided to follow in Dr. Atl's footsteps, and commissioned a large number of public works of art which would promote and support the values fundamental to the revolution and to help establish a new identity for Mexico. This new identity was based on Mexico's rich historical traditions as well as a sense of moving forward into the modern age. Importantly, most Mexicans at the time were illiterate, and promoting the new government's message could not be accomplished through traditional media such as pamphlets and newspapers. Instead, the government communicated their cause through large-scale murals in public places which could be seen by many. The murals' aesthetic appeal would also help Mexicans adapt to the new regime by affecting an overall sense of pride and cultural beauty within the communities as a whole. The murals were usually painted with themes glorifying the Mexican Revolution, recalling Mexico's early pre-Hispanic heritage and promoting the ideals of the new government. In order to create these murals, the government employed some of the best Mexican artists of the day. Some of these artists, including Diego Rivera, had spent time in Europe before the revolution, and were well acquainted with the European realism movement overseas in which artists used painting to demonstrate the dire conditions of the downtrodden working classes. This was a key influence on the revelatory style of the Mexican Muralist movement. Los Tres Grandes
David Alfaro Siqueiros, José Clemente Orozco, and Diego Rivera became the leaders of the muralist movement in Mexico and became known internationally as "los tres grandes" or "the big three."