Detroit Industry Frescoes: The Backstory

Diego Rivera and Robert H. Tannahill, 1932

Photographic print

Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, 1932

Photographic print

Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and Albert Kahn, 1932

Photographic print

Frida Kahlo at Work on "Self-Portrait on the Border Line between Mexico and the United States," 1932

Photographic print

Oil Portrait of Edsel Ford by Diego Rivera, 1932

Photographic print

Partway through work on his Detroit Industry murals at the Detroit Institute of Arts, Diego Rivera took a break to paint a portrait of the frescoes' primary sponsor, Edsel Ford. Rather than posing Ford in his office, Rivera chose a more appropriate setting: an automotive design studio. The portrait depicts Ford as strong and confident in his preferred environment.

Display of Sketches for "Detroit Industry" Fresco Cycle, 1932

Photographic print

Diego Rivera Drawing for "Detroit Industry" Fresco Cycle at Detroit Institute of Arts, 1932

Photographic print

Diego Rivera Drawing for "Detroit Industry" Fresco Cycle at Detroit Institute of Arts, 1932

Photographic print

Letter from Clyde Burroughs to Edsel Ford regarding Engagement of Assistant Plasterer, 16 March 1932

Letter (Correspondence)

Letter from A. J. Lepine (for Edsel Ford) to Clyde Burroughs regarding Engagement of Assistant Plasterer, March 18, 1932

Letter (Correspondence)

Letter from A. J. Lepine (for Edsel Ford) to Clyde Burroughs regarding Glass Used by Diego Rivera, March 31, 1932

Letter (Correspondence)

Letter from Clyde Burroughs to A. J. Lepine (for Edsel Ford) regarding Sand Used in Rivera Frescos, April 19, 1932

Letter (Correspondence)

Letter from Clyde Burroughs to A. J. Lepine (for Edsel Ford) Requesting Additional Sand For Rivera Frescos, July 25, 1932

Letter (Correspondence)

Note Requesting Additional Sand For Diego Rivera, 1932

Note (Document)

Memo from Irving Bacon to A.J. Lepine (for Edsel Ford), July 27, 1932, regarding the Diego Rivera "Detroit Industry" Murals

Memorandum

Partway through work on his Detroit Industry murals at the Detroit Institute of Arts in 1932, Diego Rivera painted a portrait of the frescoes' primary sponsor, Edsel Ford. Rivera requested several photographs of Ford to assist with the portrait. Because of concerns over privacy and security, special permission was required to supply the photos.

Memo from A.J. Lepine (for Edsel Ford) to Irving Bacon, July 29, 1932, regarding the "Detroit Industry" Murals by Diego Rivera

Memorandum

Partway through work on his Detroit Industry murals at the Detroit Institute of Arts in 1932, Diego Rivera painted a portrait of the frescoes' primary sponsor, Edsel Ford. Rivera requested several photographs of Ford to assist with the portrait. Because of concerns over privacy and security, special permission was required to supply the photos.

Memo from William Roegner to A. J. Lepine (for Edsel Ford) regarding Supply of Edsel Ford Photograph to Diego Rivera, October 25, 1932

Memorandum

Partway through work on his Detroit Industry murals at the Detroit Institute of Arts in 1932, Diego Rivera painted a portrait of the frescoes' primary sponsor, Edsel Ford. Rivera requested several photographs of Ford to assist with the portrait. Because of concerns over privacy and security, special permission was required to supply the photos.

Diego Rivera at the Detroit Institute of Arts with John "Viscount Hastings," Clifford Wight and William Valentiner, 1932

Photographic print

In 1932, the Detroit Institute of Arts commissioned Diego Rivera to paint murals depicting the city's industrial activities. The artist spent eight months creating the 27 frescoes in Detroit Industry. This photograph, taken during the project, shows (left to right) Viscount John Hastings and Clifford Wright, two of Rivera's students; Rivera; and DIA director Wilhelm Valentiner.

Ford Workers Getting Wages from Payroll Truck, 1932-1933

Photographic print

Ford Motor Company first offered factory-built trucks, based on the Model T, in 1917. Henry Ford experimented with heavier-duty trucks using the more powerful Fordson tractor engine. Approximately 12 prototype Fordson trucks were built from 1924-1926, including this steel-bodied payroll truck. The project was cancelled in favor of the Ford Model AA truck, based on the Model A car.

Letter from A. J. Lepine (for Edsel Ford) to Clyde Burroughs regarding Rivera Fresco Photographs, June 1, 1933

Letter (Correspondence)

Letter from Edsel Ford to Clyde Burroughs, June 1, 1933

Letter (Correspondence)

Letter from Clyde Burroughs to Edsel Ford regarding Fresco Photographs, 5 June 1933

Letter (Correspondence)

Letter from Frida Kahlo to Edsel Ford regarding Ricardo Arias Vinas, November 19, 1939

Letter (Correspondence)

Letter from Frida Kahlo to Edsel Ford regarding Ricardo Arias Vinas, December 6, 1939

Letter (Correspondence)

Letter from Edsel Ford to A. R. Lajous regarding Ricardo Arias Vinas, December 20, 1939

Letter (Correspondence)

Letter from Edsel Ford to Frida Kahlo regarding Ricardo Arias Vinas, December 20, 1939

Letter (Correspondence)

Letter from A. R. Lajous to Edsel Ford regarding Ricardo Arias Vinas, January 2, 1940

Letter (Correspondence)

Letter from Edsel Ford to Frida Kahlo regarding Ricardo Arias Vinas, January 22, 1941

Letter (Correspondence)

Letter from Edsel Ford to L. A. Lajous regarding Ricardo Arias Vinas, January 22, 1941

Letter (Correspondence)

Letter from Frida Kahlo to Edsel Ford regarding Ricardo Arias Vinas, February 21, 1941

Letter (Correspondence)

Letter from A. R. Lajous to Edsel Ford regarding Ricardo Arias Vinas, February 22, 1941

Letter (Correspondence)

Letter from Frida Kahlo to Edsel Ford regarding Ricardo Arias Vinas, December 5, 1941

Letter (Correspondence)