Diego Rivera

DIEGO RIVERA (Mexico, 1886-1957)
"Portrait of Tehuana", 1938
Watercolor and graphite on paper.
Signed in the lower right corner.
Attached certificate issued by Doña Guadalupe Rivera, daughter of Diego Rivera.
Measurements: 36 x 26 cm; 60 x 51 cm (frame).

This delicate portrait, executed in watercolor and graphite, embodies the essence of the Mexican identity that Diego Rivera celebrated throughout his career. In this work, the face of a young Tehuana girl emerges with strength and serenity, capturing not only the physical features, but also the soul and pride of the indigenous roots that Rivera considered fundamental to the construction of Mexico's cultural identity. The use of soft lines, warm palette, and focus on the details of the face demonstrate Rivera's mastery in capturing the humanity of his subjects.
This drawing is a unique piece that encapsulates the vision of an artist who was not only a painter, but also a visual chronicler of deep Mexico. In addition, this drawing stands out for its excellent state of preservation and for being accompanied by Doña Guadalupe Rivera's certification, which guarantees its authenticity. This piece is not only a portrait, but also a tribute to the cultural mestizaje that defined the work of one of the most emblematic artists of the 20th century.

Diego Rivera (1886-1957) is one of the most influential figures of modern art, not only in Mexico, but worldwide. Born in Guanajuato, Rivera demonstrated an early artistic talent that led him to study at the San Carlos Academy in Mexico City. In 1907, he began a tour of Europe, studying in Spain, absorbing the influence of the great classical and modernist masters, and actively participating in the artistic circles of Paris during the effervescence of Cubism. However, it was upon his return to Mexico in 1921 that he found his true artistic voice, becoming one of the leading exponents of Mexican muralism.
Rivera's murals, charged with social and political messages, celebrate the struggle of the Mexican people and the pride of their indigenous roots. His work transcends genres and formats, being the author of colossal murals in iconic buildings such as the National Palace and the Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City, as well as monumental works in the United States, such as "Detroit Industry Murals" at the Detroit Institute of Arts and "Man at the Crossroads" at Rockefeller Center (although the latter was destroyed due to its political content).
Rivera's work is part of the permanent collections of some of the most important museums in the world, such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York (MoMA), the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the National Museum of Art in Mexico. In addition, his legacy has been celebrated in retrospective exhibitions at renowned institutions such as the Louvre Museum in Paris.