MAN AT THE

CROSSROADS
Diego Rivera
Elements and
Principles
• Mass
• Space
• Motion
• Unity and Variety
• Symmetry
• Balance
 16’ x 37’6’’
Fresco
-Fresco Painting -Relief Printmaking
• Small details properly displayed • Details would be lost
• The history and context would be kept • History of controversy would be gone
• Fresco has increased durability • Lots of blocks would have to be used
Style and Era
• Was created in 1934
during the
Depression era
• Known as a Mexican
muralist
• Started with Cubism
• Later moved to Post
Impressionism
 Content and Form
Content

• Man with a look of uncertainty

• Hope
• New and better future

Form

• Many historical scenes in great detail

• Focus is in the center
• Expressing both past and present
Contextual
Theories
• Created during the
Depression Era
• The Machine Age
My Story
• I was born December 8th, 1886 and sadly passed away
November 24th, 1957.
• I started drawing at the age of 3 after my twin brother died.
• My parents were very encouraging of my art and installed
chalkboards and canvas in the house for me.
• At the age of ten, I studied art at the Academy of San Carlos
• My large frescos have contributed to the “mural movement” in
both Mexican and international art.
• My artworks have been declared “monumentos historicos” by
the Mexican government.
• I am part of the Mexican Communist Party (PCM)
• I was commissioned by Rockefeller family to paint Man at the
Crossroads. It received a lot of controversy and was destroyed.
An Amazing
Deal
• Currently all that is
left of the original
piece is a photo,
though an altered
version is located in
Mexico City.
• Current Worth:
Unknown since it was
destroyed (other
works around 9.76
million)
• My amazing deal:
$90,000