Diego Rivera Working on the "Detroit Industry" Fresco Cycle at Detroit Institute of Arts, 1932

Summary

In 1932, the Detroit Institute of Arts commissioned Mexican artist Diego Rivera to paint murals depicting the city's industrial activities. Rivera spent eight months creating 27 frescoes in the institute's interior courtyard. Much of Detroit Industry was inspired by Ford Motor Company's Rouge plant, but the murals also portrayed Detroit's medical, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. Edsel Ford sponsored Rivera's work.

In 1932, the Detroit Institute of Arts commissioned Mexican artist Diego Rivera to paint murals depicting the city's industrial activities. Rivera spent eight months creating 27 frescoes in the institute's interior courtyard. Much of Detroit Industry was inspired by Ford Motor Company's Rouge plant, but the murals also portrayed Detroit's medical, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. Edsel Ford sponsored Rivera's work.

Artifact

Photographic print

Date Made

1932

Subject Date

1932

Collection Title

General Photographs Series 

 On Exhibit

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

64.167.833.P.57100.166

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)
Linen (Material)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 10.875 in

Width: 7.625 in

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