Description:

Diego Rivera
Detroit, MI, March 17, 1933
Diego Rivera Signed Photo, Most Probably Painting Detroit Industry Mural, Most Famous Work!
Signed photograph

A fine signed photo showing Rivera at work on a large painting or panel and quite possibly one for his historic Detroit Industry Mural. Boldly signed at the bottom blank margin. Light foxing to top edge of blank margin, toning and soiling to verso. Overall very good. 8.75" x 11.75 sepia.

Rivera signs: "To Com W Miller. / Diego Rivera. / Detroit March 17, 1933."

Rivera began work on the Detroit Industry Murals at the Detroit Institute of Art in 1932 and finished the project in 1933. Comprising 27 panels picturing the automotive industry in Detroit and commissioned by Edsel Ford, Ford Motor Company, the project is widely considered Rivera's greatest work, bringing together art and his political stance as a member of the Mexican Communist Party.

Detroit was one of the cities hit hardest by the Great Depression, with industrial output and workforce down by one third before the crash of 1929. It made sense that a dyed-in-the-wool Marxist would be chosen to depict the strength of labor and its output amidst cultural symbolism representing birth, re-growth, creation and spirituality.

Unsurprisingly, this epic work became a touchstone for many issues of the time: while many embraced the murals for their originality and Cubist style, and the Detroit City Council even debated whitewashing the walls of the museum. Many others objected to the choice of a foreign painter to represent the industry -- and who was paid a hefty sum for it. In addition, people complained that there were depictions of "vulgar" nudity; and Rivera's prominent celebration of the working class was portrayed as "communistic."

The most virulent criticism came from the Catholic Church, which objected to panel showing a child being vaccinated surrounded by the animals that provided the vaccine, and flanked by a nativity-like scene.

Edsel Ford, however, stood by Rivera's work: "I admire Rivera's spirit," Ford reportedly said. "I really believe he was trying to express his idea of the spirit of Detroit." His simple words helped save the masterpiece from destruction.

Diego Rivera (1886-1957) was a prominent Mexican painter whose large frescoes helped establish the mural movement in Mexican and international art. As of 2018, Rivera holds the record for the highest price at auction for a work by a Latin American artist. The 1931 painting "The Rivals", part of the Peggy and David Rockefeller Collection, sold for 9.76 million dollars.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8.75" x 11.75"
  • Medium: Signed photograph

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April 23, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000