ARTH 274 - Art and Revolution: Mexican Muralism

FDR: HA
Credits: 4
Planned Offering: Spring 2011 and alternate years

This course fulfills the Arts and Humanities requirement for the LACS minor. This lecture course surveys public monumental art produced by Mexican artists Diego Rivera, Jose Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro Siqueiros in Mexico and the United States from 1910 to the 1970s. These artists used art to promote the social ideals of the Mexican Revolution (1911-1920). Through this muralist movement, they attempted to build a new national consciousness by celebrating the cultural heritage of the Mexican people. Quickly, the muralists and their patrons came into conflict with one another concerning how to best achieve their utopian goal of equality for all Mexicans. This course examines the various ideologies of the Mexican muralists and considers reactions to muralism by other artists as well as the public. The class also examines the impact of muralism throughout Latin America and the United States. Lepage