Mexican Muralism
1920–1960Rivera's encyclopedic narratives, Orozco's anguished fire. Public art as revolutionary education.
True fresco, encaustic, Pyroxylin (industrial lacquer). Monumental scale on public buildings.
Diego Rivera
1886–1957Mexican
Master muralist. Encyclopedic narratives of Mexican history — from Pre-Columbian to industrial revolution.
True fresco technique learned in Italy. Earth-toned palette with vivid accents. Monumental scale — Detroit Institute, Palacio Nacional.
Further reading: Diego Rivera, 1886-1957: A Revolutionary Spirit in Modern Art (Taschen Basic Art) — Andrea KettenmannRivera earth
Warm terra cotta of Mexican earth and architecture.
Material: Red ochre, burnt sienna, yellow ochre in fresco
RGB(169, 106, 58)
Fresco blue
Deep blue of sky and worker's clothing.
Material: Cobalt blue, ultramarine in lime plaster
RGB(42, 90, 154)
Corn yellow
Golden yellow of maize — staple of Mexican life.
Material: Yellow ochre, cadmium yellow in fresco
RGB(216, 176, 64)
Calla lily white
The white of calla lilies carried by flower vendors.
Material: Lime white, zinc white in fresco
RGB(228, 216, 200)
Indigenous skin
Warm brown of indigenous Mexican people.
Material: Burnt sienna, raw umber, yellow ochre
RGB(122, 90, 48)
Machine grey
Cool grey of industrial machinery in Detroit murals.
Material: Lamp black, lime white
RGB(106, 106, 104)
Pigments: Ochre · Sienna · Ultramarine · Cobalt blue · Lime white · Cadmium yellow · Zinc white · Umber · Lamp black
José Clemente Orozco
1883–1949Mexican
The darkest muralist. Prometheus on fire, soldiers in agony — suffering without redemption.
Near-monochrome palette in most powerful works. Fire and flesh against darkness. More expressionist than Rivera.
Further reading: José Clemente Orozco: An Autobiography — José Clemente Orozco (trad. Robert C. Stephenson)Prometheus fire
Blazing orange-red of Orozco's fire imagery.
Material: Cadmium red, cadmium orange in fresco
RGB(201, 64, 32)
Ash grey
Grey of ruins, smoke, aftermath.
Material: Lamp black, lime white in fresco
RGB(92, 90, 88)
Agony flesh
Tortured flesh in anguished scenes.
Material: Yellow ochre, burnt sienna, lime white
RGB(184, 144, 96)
Revolutionary black
Near-black of suffering and violence.
Material: Bone black, burnt umber in fresco
RGB(28, 20, 16)
Blood-soaked earth
Dark red-brown of blood and Mexican earth.
Material: Red ochre, burnt sienna, burnt umber
RGB(107, 42, 26)
Bone white
Off-white of exposed bone and lime plaster.
Material: Lime white in fresco
RGB(210, 200, 184)
Pigments: Cadmium red · Cadmium yellow · Lime white · Lamp black · Ochre · Sienna · Umber · Bone black
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