Man at the Crossroads/Man, Controller of the Univers by Diego Rivera | TopImpressionists.com

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"Man at the Crossroads/Man, Controller of the Univers"

Diego Rivera - Frescoes


famous painting Man at the Crossroads/Man, Controller of the Univers of Diego Rivera

Diego Rivera's "Man at the Crossroads", also known as "Man, Controller of the Univers", is a renowned painting that embodies the artist's political beliefs and artistic prowess. Born in Mexico in 1886, Diego Rivera was a prominent Mexican painter and muralist whose works depicted the life of the indigenous people and their culture.

The Rockefeller Center Commission

In 1933, Nelson Rockefeller commissioned Rivera to create a mural for the ground floor wall of the Rockefeller Center in New York City. The painting was intended to be a celebration of technological progress and industrialization. However, as Rivera began working on the mural, he incorporated elements that were critical of capitalism and included portraits of controversial figures such as Lenin.

Controversy and Destruction

The inclusion of these elements sparked controversy, and Nelson Rockefeller demanded that Rivera remove the offending portions. However, Rivera refused, stating that he would not alter his artistic vision for anyone. As a result, the mural was destroyed before it was finished.

Recreation in Mexico City

Undeterred, Rivera recreated the mural in Mexico City, where it is now known as "Man, Controller of the Univers". The painting is a massive fresco that measures 15.75 x 37.5 feet and depicts a worker at the center directing an enormous machine at the crossroads of political ideologies dominating this period: capitalism (to the figure’s right) and communism (to the figure’s left).

Significance and Legacy

"Man, Controller of the Univers" is a significant work that showcases Rivera's political beliefs and artistic talent. The painting is a testament to the artist's unwavering commitment to his vision and serves as a reminder of the power of art to challenge societal norms and provoke thought.

Visit WahooArt.com for More Information

For more information about Diego Rivera and his works, visit Diego Rivera's page on WahooArt.com. You can also browse our collection of Greatest most famous Paintings of all time to discover more masterpieces from around the world.

Man at the Crossroads - Wikipedia
Smarthistory – Diego Rivera, Man at the Crossroads
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