The Flower Carrier

By: Diego Rivera

In 1935, Diego Rivera masterfully created The

Flower Carrier (known in its original language as
Cargador de Flores). Like many of Rivera's paintings,
The Flower Carrier imparts simplicity, yet exudes
much symbolism and meaning.

In this picture Diego Rivera intended to idealize the

situation of a hardworking man, who probably sells
flowers to earn a fortune for his family. The woman
in the background of the painting is probably his wife
who is assisting him in carrying an oversized bucket
of flowers. Rivera intended to portray the hardship of
life in his painting. While the flowers in the basket
are strikingly beautiful to the viewer while

the man does not see their beauty, but only their
value as he carries them to the market for sale or exchange. 

The artist depicts the story of misfortune of those who need to work hard and provide happiness to
those who have riches. The social and material discrimination that is prevalent in the society, the
uneven distribution of wealth and the unjust fate of many with the presence of few privileged. 

The Flower Carrier

The Flower Carrier

The Flower Carrier

 Diego Rivera had some success as a Cubist
painter in Europe, but the course of world
events would strongly change the style and
subject of his work. Inspired by the political
ideals of the Mexican Revolution (1914-15)
and the Russian Revolution (1917), Rivera
wanted to make art that reflected the lives of
the working class and native peoples of
Mexico. He developed an interest in making
murals during a trip to Italy, finding
inspiration in the Renaissance frescos there.