Diego Rivera

Early in the Depression, Diego Rivera was commissioned by Edsel Ford to create a series of murals in the gallery of the Detroit Institute of Arts, giant frescos whose theme would be Americas industrial might. This volume studies the astonishing results and gives us a remarkably close look at Diego and his wife, Frida Kahlo. Riveras Detroit Industry murals are one of this countrys greatest treasures. In addition to providing full coverage and analysis of the murals, the book includes chapters on the murals planning and antecedents, Riveras working methods (which can be read as a primer on frescos), Diego and Fridas lives for their nine months in Detroit, and the publics dramatic response to the strong socialist/communist themes in the works.