Mexican Painters
The range of Mexican painters belongs to one of the most varied and celebrated art cultures in the whole of Latin America, if not worldwide. The breadth of style, form and expression of the paintings in Mexico is truly fascinating.
While was a huge art culture among the first civilizations in Mexico, and many indigenous Mexican paintings have been well preserved, very few of the artists are known to experts. Entire civilizations were wiped out by colonization and some of the finest examples of art are entirely anonymous.
With colonialism, came a new wave of influence. The church controlled the direction of Mexican painters and so much of the subject matter was of religious themes, and imitated the Spanish Baroque style. Mexican painters such as Miguel Cabrera, José de Ibarra, Juan Correa, Cristobál de Villalpando, were all well-known for their religious art, and their vast output.
However, through time, painters in Mexico developed their own unique styles, and began to highlight social injustices. Jose Guadalupe Posada and Dr. Atl are two examples of iconic artists who displayed a social consciousness.
After the revolution, the government wanted to promote art and educate the public. Muralism was seen as the perfect tool to do so, and some of Mexico's paintings that are perhaps the most celebrated came from this period. Diego Rivera, José Orozco and David Siqueiros were all known for their vast paintings.
Alongside the muralists was a group of Mexican painters who wanted to remove themselves s from politics and follow their own path- 'La Generación de la Ruptura' which included Rufino Tamayo, Vlady and Pedro Coronel.
Famous painters in Mexico's modern history include Frida Kahlo, Juan Soriano and María Izquierdo. With such a fruitful history, Mexican painters are continuing to flourish and ever develop.
