David Alfaro Siqueiros

Style: Surrealism; Muralism; Expressionism; Social Realism; Art Deco;

Place: Camargo

Born: 1896

Death: 1974

Biography:

David Alfaro Siqueiros was a prominent Mexican social realist painter, known for his large murals in fresco. He was born on December 29, 1896, in Chihuahua, Mexico, and died on January 6, 1974, in Cuernavaca, Morelos. Along with Diego Rivera and José Clemente Orozco, he established "Mexican Muralism," a movement that sought to express the social and political themes of the time.

Early Life and Education

Siqueiros was born into a family of modest means. His father, Cipriano Alfaro, was originally from Irapuato, Guanajuato, and his mother, Teresa Siqueiros, was from Chihuahua. He had two siblings: a sister, Luz, three years older, and a brother "Chucho" (Jesús), a year younger. After his mother's death when he was four, his father sent the children to live with their paternal grandparents. Siqueiros started school in Irapuato, Guanajuato, in 1902. He credits his first rebellious influence to his sister, who had resisted their father's religious orthodoxy. Around this time, Siqueiros was also exposed to new political ideas, mainly along the lines of anarcho-syndicalism.

Artistic Career

Siqueiros' artistic career began in 1911 when he joined a student strike at the Academy of San Carlos of the National Academy of Fine Arts. The strike protested the school's teaching methodology and urged the impeachment of the school's director, leading to the establishment of an "open-air academy" in Santa Anita. In 1919, Siqueiros traveled to Europe, where he absorbed the influence of cubism, particularly Paul Cézanne and the use of large blocks of intense color. He also met Diego Rivera, another Mexican painter of "the big three," and traveled with him throughout Italy to study the great fresco painters of the Renaissance. Siqueiros' artistic ventures were frequently interrupted by his political ones. However, he believed that the two were intricately intertwined. By 1921, when he wrote his manifesto in Vida Americana, Siqueiros had already been exposed to Marxism and saw the life of the working and rural poor while traveling with the Constitutional Army. David Alfaro Siqueiros is known for his large murals in fresco, such as "The New Democracy", which showcases his unique style and technique. His artwork can be found at Wikioo.org, along with other notable artists like Diego Rivera and José Clemente Orozco.

Notable Works

Some of Siqueiros' notable works include:

• "The New Democracy", a mural in fresco, which is considered one of his most important works.
• "The Polished City", another mural in fresco, which showcases his unique style and technique.
• "The New Generation", a painting that represents the spirit of the Mexican Revolution.

to note is that Siqueiros' artwork can be found at Wikioo.org, along with other notable artists like Lucian Freud and Georg Kolbe. His artwork is also featured in the Colección Andrés Blaisten (Mexico), a Mexican art collection that was established by the late businessman and art collector, Andrés Blaisten. In conclusion, David Alfaro Siqueiros was a prominent Mexican social realist painter who played a significant role in establishing "Mexican Muralism." His artwork can be found at Wikioo.org, along with other notable artists.