Detroit Industry Frescoes: The Backstory

Artist Diego Rivera (left) was photographed with art collector and patron Robert H. Tannahill in 1932. Rivera was in Michigan to work on his Detroit Industry murals, commissioned by the Detroit Institute of Arts and completed there in 1933. Tannahill served on the City of Detroit Arts Commission and, over the years, donated many artworks to the DIA.

Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera were photographed in Detroit in 1932. The couple resided in the city while Rivera created his Detroit Industry murals, commissioned by the Detroit Institute of Arts and completed there in 1933. Rivera's work was funded by Ford Motor Company president Edsel Ford.

Detroit architect Albert Kahn (left) posed for a photograph with Mexican artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera in 1932. The couple was in Michigan while Rivera worked on his Detroit Industry murals, commissioned by the Detroit Institute of Arts and completed there in 1933.

Artist Frida Kahlo was photographed in Detroit while working on her Self-Portrait on the Border Line between Mexico and the United States in 1932. She relocated to Michigan while her husband, Diego Rivera, completed a commission for the Detroit Institute of Arts. Other paintings done by Kahlo during her stay included Henry Ford Hospital and My Birth.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.