Diego Rivera “Self Portrait,” 1907
Diego Rivera was born in Mexico on December 8, 1886. He lived in Mexico until he got a travel grant in 1907 and went to Spain, where he began his many travels in Europe. During this time he developed his passion for art which he had since a little boy. While he was in Europe he meet many other prominent artists and politicians, especially Russian communist, and became a very influential person. But when World War I broke out and Mexico itself began to have a revolution he felt that he should return to Mexico. While in Mexico he became very active and joined the Mexican Communist Party. Most of his artistic work is in the form of murals.
I like this painting because it seems to be a mix between serious and light hearted art. Although the character in the painting, Diego himself, looks serious it also has a cartoonist quality to it. His murals were usually simple but full of color.
