The Aztecs are one of the most fascinating civilizations in history. They have left behind a rich legacy that is still with us today. Among these legacies, their art has had the most influence on Mexican culture and it is important to understand the significance of this art to fully appreciate its cultural impact. The best way to learn about the Aztec artistic style is by seeing it for yourself! This blog will give you an introduction to some major pieces of Aztec mural art so that you can truly enjoy them as they were meant to be seen: up close and personal!
The Mexican mural movement, or Mexican muralism, began as a government-funded form of public art—specifically, large-scale wall paintings in civic buildings—in the wake of the Mexican Revolution (1910–20). The Revolution was a massive civil war helmed by a number of factions with charismatic leaders—Francisco Madero, Venustiano Carranza, Pancho Villa, Emiliano Zapata, to name a few—all of whom had very specific political and social agendas. After the Revolution, then, the government took on the very difficult project of transforming a divided Mexico of maderistas, carrancistas, villistas, zapatistas, and so on, into a coherent nation of mexicanos. To do so, it needed to create an official history of Mexico in which its citizens would find themselves, and it needed a medium that could propagate this to a largely poor, illiterate populace. Enter Mexican muralism.
Out of a host of Mexican artists, three emerged as its most devoted, celebrated, and prolific, to the extent that they came to be referred to as los tres grandes (“the three greats”): José Clemente Orozco (1883–1949), Diego Rivera (1886–1957), and David Alfaro Siqueiros (1896–1974). While the mural project employed a host of artists from across the country, the influence and prominence of Orozco, Rivera, and Siqueiros was so great that it makes sense to limit a discussion of muralism largely to them for an introductory lecture on the topic. Each had a different personality, ideology, style, and sphere of influence, and a well-developed survey on Mexican muralism can be taught through their works.
This unit is an excellent opportunity to talk about the ways that artistic representation expresses cultural values: in the 1920s when muralism began, there was a concern with defining a new “Mexican” character. This often led to themes of mestizaje (celebration of Mexico’s mixed-race heritage), but also recognition of the native value of the indigenous Indian.
Stemming from a 1921 manifesto written by Siqueiros, muralism was pitched as an art of social and political engagement. Muralism provides a chance to talk about the intersection of art and politics, which may seem commonplace to your students now, but was widely debated throughout the twentieth century. What is the goal of art? To what extent is art supposed to be autonomous and separated from everyday life? Does art that has a function cross the line from art to propaganda, or is there a hazier area between the two that is explored in works like these?
Another major theme to discuss is the value of public art in society. What does public art accomplish? If muralism is monumental and public, how are its conditions different than small, private works of art that are made for consumption by the art market and institutions like museums?
Aztec Mexico Mex I Can Aztec Mexican Mural Art
Aztec mural art is a beautiful representation of the rich history and culture that was present in pre-Columbian Mexico. The vibrant colors used to paint these murals are a reminder of how diverse and colorful this region is, with many different ethnicities all living together in harmony.
Aztec Mexico Mex I Can Aztec Mexican Mural Art
Aztec Mexico Aztec Mexican Mural Art
These murals were painted on the walls of houses or temples by using natural paints from plants such as indigo, brazilwood tree bark, coal dust, earth pigments mixed with water, and an adhesive agent made from animal fat. Some paintings show battle scenes while others depict everyday life or religious ceremonies. It’s hard not to feel immersed in history when viewing these incredible works of art!
Aztec Mexico Aztec Mexican Mural Art
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