Diego Rivera "Detroit Industry" Frescoes at Detroit Institute of Arts, 1932-1933

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

1932-1933

Subject Date

1932-1933

 On Exhibit

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

84.1.1660.P.833.57100.281

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: 8 in

Width: 11 in

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