TRAVEL IDEAS
Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes)
Historic Center (Centro)

Want to see some amazing examples of Mexican muralists like Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and José Clemente Orozco? Head to the Palace of Fine Arts! Even if you aren't excited about modernist murals, the building itself is a gorgeous Art Deco design inside and it's worth checking out. Plus, you can see performances here!

Click on any image to read more about what you are seeing and where to find it in the Palace of Fine Arts.

Interior of the Palace of Fine Arts, looking toward Diego Rivera's Man, Controller of the Universe, painted in 1934

About 10 months before Diego Rivera painted this mural at the Palace of Fine Arts, his similar mural at Rockefeller Center in New York City was destroyed. The NYC version was controversial, and needless to see Rivera was not amused by its destruction. This version in Mexico City was painted for the space's opening in 1934. It fills an entire wall! There is a lot going on, with many different figures. The entire mural hinges around a worker at the center who operates a machine that intersects with different political forces, like communism (our right) and capitalism (our left).

A mural showing a worker between imagery of capitalism and communism

Mural of Diego Rivera's Man, Controller of the Universe, painted in 1934

Rivera uses a lot of imagery to incite discussion (or at least offer commentary!) about communism and capitalism (or communism vs. capitalism).

The entire mural hinges around a worker at the center who operates a machine that intersects with different political forces, like communism (our right) and capitalism (our left). The mural is perfect for taking some time to do close looking because there is a lot happening in it.

Detail of Diego Rivera's Man, Controller of the Universe, painted in 1934

On our right, the communism side, we can see Vladimir Lenin, a Russian revolutionary. On the left side, elites party—he wasn't so fond of capitalism.

Detail of communism side, Diego Rivera's Man, Controller of the Universe, painted in 1934

if we move outward on our right, the communism side, we see more figures association with the Russian Revolution. Leon Trotsky, Friedrich Engels, and Karl Marx are all there. Trotsky is wearing glasses and holding up the orange-red banner.

Detail of capitalism side with Charles Darwin, Diego Rivera's Man, Controller of the Universe, painted in 1934

On the capitalism side, beyond the heavy partying wealthy folks, we also see the horrors of WWI shown (soldiers, weapons). We also have figures like Charles Darwin, surrounded by animals.

Mural by David Alfaro Siqueiros, The Torture of Cuauhtemoc, 1951

Cuauhtemoc was the final Aztec (Mexica) ruler who fought against the Spaniards during the Conquest. Here, he is shown being tortured yet he remains stoic.

Detail of Mural by David Alfaro Siqueiros, The Torture of Cuauhtemoc, 1951

TRAVEL IDEAS Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes) Historic Center (Centro)

TRAVEL IDEAS
Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes)
Historic Center (Centro)