Customer Reviews (7)

Author Has Better Understanding of History than People
I am surprised that other readers enjoyed this book, especially readers who like Rivera. I had the distinct impression that the author, Patrick Marnham, did not like Rivera.Rivera's larger than life personality can probably not be claimed to be understood by many people, and perhaps Marnham's total want of understanding is the source for his dislike.

While this could be one of several books to read about Diego Rivera it should not be relied heavily upon. Marnham does not seem to approve of many of the characters he writes about in this book . I don't think he has an appreciation for colorful people. I felt he was a very supressed and uptight person writing about some very free spirits.

A biography of Rivera seemed a poor subject choice for him.Perhaps being an art critic would be a better suited undertaking for him.Or maybe since his grasp of history seems good his temperment would be better suited to writing dry fact based history than attempting to discern the subtlties of the human character.

He made several assertions that he represented as fact.One that springs to mind was that Frida Kahlo commited suicide.While that May be true, it also may not be true.

Marnham collected information about Diego Rivera, where he went, when he went , etc, but gave no real sense of warmth of Diego Rivera. Since Rivera was a man of such great passion it was disappointing to have only a two dimensional portrait of him drawn.I felt I knew alot more of Marnham's personality after reading this book than of Rivera's.But touché I felt much the same about Marnham as he did Rivera, I didn't like him much.

Great Biography of a Flawed but Great Artist
Diego Rivera was born in the magical city of Guanajuato. This fact alone made me pick up this book and then buy it. I visited Guanajuato in 2002 and fell in love with the twisty roads, the Baroque facades of the Templos and the Basilica, the Easter-egg colored houses and the general feeling that one had been dropped down in a 18th Century Spanish town.Rivera left it with his mother at the age of six, but the city of his birth, with its recent mummies and Day of the Dead festivals left its mark on him.

Rivera lived in Mexico City until 1907, when he left for Spain and for the next 15 years lived there and in France. He picked up a common-law wife and then a lover- a portent of things to come.He met and was friends (or sometimes enemies) with some of the greatest artists of the period, including Picasso, Mondrian, Modigliani and Matisse.He worked in classic style until he accepted Cubism, only to move toward Cezanne-style art, and eventually to develop his own style. He eventually became one of the greatest of modern fresco painters.However, his character was far from flawless. He lied about his past often and in different ways, depending on the situation, was not very careful about personal hygiene, and also often ran away from relationships to avoid unpleasant realities.

Rivera joined the Mexican Communist Party (MCP) in 1922. After three failures at having a permanent relationship with a woman, he married the rather obsessional young Communist Frida Kahlo (who was twenty years his junior) in 1929.In that same year he was expelled from the MCP because of various internal party intrigues.He then became friends with the exiled Leon Trotsky, who repaid him by having a short affair with Frida. Frida, to make matters more complicated, was repaying Rivera for his affair with her sister. Because of his association with Trotsky, Rivera was not readmitted to the party again until 1954, after the death of Stalin. This summery only touches on and can hardly do justice to the complicated world of Diego Rivera, one of the most complex of men.

Patrick Marnham presents in this book the convoluted ins and outs of Rivera's life, his many affairs and his association with the art world and the Communist Party in vivid detail.

This is a fascinating study of this very complex and often selfish man who was also a great artist. It is also a window into a very confusing and turbulent time in the history of the World.It is a work that should be read by all interested in understanding this period and the modern world that rose from it.

The many loves of Rivera
With various books written on the life of Diego Rivera this one is a must have. Anytime a subject is studied, it this case the life of arguably the greatest Mexican muralist, it is worthwhile to have various perspectives before coming to one's own conclusion. In that regard this book is invaluable as the author doesn't give you a softball and is quick to point out the inconsistencies in other versions of the larger than life Diego Rivera's exploits, including his own autobiography. The book itself is a fascinating portrait into the life of the celebrated Mexican muralist's life, beginning with the unusual circumstnances of his youth, his sojourn to Europe and studying art in France, his mingling in the bohemian lfestyle with various artists and intellectuals of his era, including his at times not so friendly rivalry with Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, his return to Mexico, his politics(communist) and the troubles he had since he usually mixed art and politics, his many, many love affairs, his multiple marriages including several to soul mate Frida Kahlo, his association with Trotsky(and his wife), his work in the United States and his later years in Mexico where he remained productive in spite of failing health. It is all here, both the believable and the unbelieveable, meshing together for a fascinating look at a man that could literally charm the pants off of the most beautiful women of the world. Included are two seperate groups ofpictures that include rarely seen vintage photographs and color prints of his most famous works. Every now and then I read a book that I want to savor and take my time. Like a special meal or an intimate moment, this book was one that I wanted to savor once I began. I wanted to make it last because it was so enjoyable, knowing that the inevitable consequence of my reading would make it end I almost regretted finishing the book. I took days to read the final chapters in the hope that somehow the experience would not end. I would highly recommend this book to those that are interested in DiegoRivera, Frida Kahlo, and Mexicanart or history. It is a book that paints more than a picture, it is more like a grand muralthat captures thefantastic life of Diego Rivera. This is a highly enjoyable book and an indispensable aid in understanding the complex makeup ofone of the true giantsof art in the twentieth century.

Marnham on Rivera
No footnotes, inadequate bibliography, and surprisingly, almost no mistakes. He reports on time and place in a constructive way and dispels Rivera's own myths about himself humorously. Very good read.

A Rotund Biography Worthy of the Rotund Rivera
Marnham's biography provides a rotund, finely textured portrait worthy of the rotund Rivera.Marnham's Rivera is a technically blessed meta-Mexican eternally adapting his extraordinary gifts and solitary vision to the economic and political exigencies of Europe, Mexico, and the United States. Marnham's Rivera loves only art and as a consequence was - as we all now know - a bad husband, bad father and horrible politician but - as we may not know- never truly a bad man. Marnham is able to write with enormous respect for Rivera without losing his critical edge. For example, throughout the book, Marhnam's continuously tests Rivera's own autobiographical assertions against more conventional notions of truth with amusing irony but without condescension.Marnham never loses sight of Rivera's genius.

The biography contributes fascinating details about Rivera's European years from his studies in Spain to his days/nights as a sometimes participant of the cafe society of the Free Republic of Montparnasse.Likewise, Marnham's discussion of the Rivera/ Kahlo visits to the United States is fascinating. Though this fills in large gaps in Rivera scholarship, my major criticism is that Marnham failed to dedicate comparable effort to Rivera's role in the intellectual currents of post-revolutionary Mexico.For instance, scarce mention is devoted to the contrasts and rivalries between Rivera, and the other notable mutalists of his day, Jose Clemente Orozco and David Alfaro Siqueiros.Marnham also ignores Rivera's artistic legacy in Mexico or the United States.While Rivera did not invent nor perhaps truly even master mural art, Rivera is certainly the premier inspiration for "public" artists on both sides of the border.

For an interesting and literate discussion of Rivera and Mexican muralism, I recommend Octavio Paz, Essays on Mexican Art. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Brilliant blend of social and art history
After becoming prominent in Mexico for painting scenes of Revolution and social change, the muralists featured in this book (Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro Siqueiros) came to the United States and tried to adapt to a much less revolutionary public. Indych-Lopez does a brilliant job of depicting how the art and political worlds intersected to change each artist's vision and prospects. The two special strengths of the book for me were: (1) The art analysis is in clear language. I'm not an art historian (maybe 2 museum visits a year), and I'm sometimes put off by insider talk. Indych-Lopez brings out the depths of the paintings in ways I could follow and appreciate. (2) The coverage of Siqueiros. I had never heard of him, but in many ways his paintings are more lushly beautiful than even Rivera's, whose work I've long admired.

The idea I'll keep thinking about is how these artists had the job, more and less self-consciously, of repairing U.S.-Mexican relations after a revolution that shocked U.S. sensibilities--and in which the U.S. intervened. It's amazing to see how the paintings of revolutionary scenes changed as they crossed the border, appealing more to images of freedom and honor rather than chronicling the people's struggle.

All in all, highly recommended! ... Read more

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Best known for his epic mural production, Mexican artist Diego Rivera was also an important easel painter and--as this book eloquently demonstrates--an extraordinary illustrator. This volume takes a detailed and long-overdue look at this rich and significant facet of Rivera's immense oeuvre: the illustrations he contributed to books and periodical publications over the course of his long career. Accompanying the numerous reproductions is a long and splendidly researched essay by noted art critic Raquel Tibol, an expert on the artist's work. The panorama of Rivera's themes--Modernist poetry, political issues, Mexican folklore, pre-Columbian America and many others--take the reader on a tour of the history of Mexican art in the first half of the twentieth century. Even those who think they know Rivera's work will find new aspects to explore in this beautiful book. ... Read more

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Excellent
an excellent book for lovers of art and life

Diego Rivera: Great Illustrator (Biblioteca de Ilustradores Mexicanos) ... Read more

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Powerful images from the famous muralist and oil painter, among them: Nude with Calla Lilies, Night of the Rich, The Flowered Canoe, Self-Portrait, The Flower Carrier, and Agrarian Leader Zapata.
... Read more

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Gorgeous!
I purchased these as a gift for a friend.The stickers were beautiful and she loved them!

GREAT GIFT IDEA!!
These stickers are a great gift to give to someone interested in Mexican art or art in general. It features some of Rivera's greatest pieces in small sticker form. For the price, these would be great small gifts to give to art students. Orale! ... Read more

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Briefly examines the life and work of the twentieth-century Mexican painter, describing and giving examples of his art. ... Read more

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Excellent illustrations
The art of Diego Rivera is most definitely the focus of Schaefer's book, rather than his personal life or political activities. This approach is probably best suited for the audience age level, but it should be said that this book gives a very simplistic view of a tumultuous and politically controversial life. Most importantly, though, the illustrations are excellent and the selection of works from different periods and styles of Rivera's career is outstanding, especially in regards to his early work and training. Young readers will enjoy learning about mural painting and "public art", as well as Rivera's philosophy of creating art about and for people, from a clear and educational viewpoint. ... Read more

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Suggests ways to look at the murals and other paintings of this twentieth-century Mexican artist while also indicating development of his style and offering some biographical information. ... Read more

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Diego made easy for beginner Spanish students
After researching through the internet and libraries for information on Rivera for my Spaqnish class assisgnment, I came across this book which I must say is the best for analysis on Rivera's works and easily translatedinto Spanish for beginner and intermediate Spanish students.Although itis for ages up to 16, I am taking Spanish at college level and found boththe pictures and the analysis written in simple but accurate descriptivelanguage and very easy to understand .The photography is excellent. ... Read more

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Introduces the life and accomplishments of the artist who invented a Mexican style of painting and who brought art out of museums and onto public walls. ... Read more

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The renowned Mexican muralist Diego Rivera was also a prodigious storyteller and a witness to some of the most formative social and artistic movements of the twentieth century. A central figure in the emergence of the avant-garde in post-revolutionary Mexico, Rivera was also a keen art critic--if occasionally caustic towards those he disagreed with, he was also a generous promoter of emerging talent. This two-volume set--the first comprehensive collection of Rivera's writings in English--reveals the vision; irony and insight of his rarely examined written work. Included in these two illustrated volumes are selections from Rivera's inventive, partially fabricated autobiography, written in collaboration with Lolo de la Torriente and Gladys March, as well as letters and other previously unpublished essays. The first volume covers his childhood, his years of apprenticeship and his life among the European avant-garde. The second covers his return to Mexico in the wake of its tumultuous and transformative revolution. ... Read more

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Follows the life of the twentieth-century Mexican muralist, from his earliest artistic expressions through his developmental years in Spain, Paris, and Italy to his political activities when he returned to Mexico. ... Read more

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"THE MEXICAN COWBOY OF MURALS"
Slouched hat over his eyes, a pistol in his belt and a paint brush in his hand is the signature description of Diego Rivera, one of the world's greatest muralists. Young people will be enthralled over this fictionalized biography of an artist whose works were dedicated to the poor.

Born in 1886 in Mexico, frog-faced Diego was a child prodigy in the art world. His talents in drawing were far ahead of those in his age group. Diego was a rebellious one and defied the rules of priests, teachers, his family and school. "Diego was just being Deigo" was his father's refrain when given negative reports about his brilliant son.

The author covers the whole of Rivera's artistic career and shows us the best of his signature paintings and murals. Children can get the feel of the mischief of Diego, his commitment to the poor and his undying love for his painting. Diego's work as a muralist revived an art long dead and carried it to even greater heights. His work impacted many artists in the United States and all over the world who came to be taught under the feet of this great man.

Diego Rivera:Artist of the People is an excellent book for introducing children (ages 8-12) to Diego Rivera's muralist art, Mexican history and the development of Mexican art. A bibliography is provided for further reading about this great man and his work. Some of the photographs of Diego's works are in black and white. Those pictures take away the great splash and use of color that Rivera is known for in his works. Other than that minor flaw this book is a wonderful view of Mexico's greatest artist. ... Read more

Product Description
Examines the life and work of the Mexican artist who decided that his great purpose in life was to bring art to the masses through the medium of murals. ... Read more