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Social Realism Collection (#3)

Social realism is an artistic movement that aims to depict the realities of society, often focusing on the struggles and triumphs of everyday people




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Social realism is an artistic movement that aims to depict the realities of society, often focusing on the struggles and triumphs of everyday people. Diego Rivera, a renowned Mexican artist, masterfully captured this concept in his murals at various locations around the world. One of Rivera's notable works is his mural at The Detroit Institute of Arts titled "Detroit. " Completed between 1932 and 1933, it portrays the automobile industry in America. With intricate details, Rivera showcases the immense scale and significance of this industry during that time. Another striking example by Rivera can be seen in his mural called "Day of the Dead" at Mexico City's Ministry of Public Education. This piece depicts the vibrant celebration known as Feast of the Day of the Dead. Through colorful imagery and meticulous attention to cultural traditions, Rivera brings to life this important Mexican holiday. Rivera also explored pre-Columbian life in his mural at Mexico City's Ministry of Public Education titled "Pre-Columbian Life: The Zapotec Civilization. " Created around 1925, this artwork delves into ancient history by showcasing scenes from Zapotec civilization with great detail and accuracy. Juan O Gorman contributed to social realism with his mural depicting Mexico's revolution in 1810 titled "The Cry of Dolores. " In this powerful artwork from the 20th century, O Gorman captures Miguel Hidalgo's call for revolt against Spanish rule on September 16th. It serves as a reminder not only about historical events but also about resilience and determination. Semyon Chuikov's painting "Daughter Of Soviet Kirghizia" exemplifies socialist realism through its portrayal of a young woman representing strength and dedication towards building a socialist society. This artwork reflects both individuality and collective spirit within Soviet culture during that period. Ben Shahn created a painting for a poster (never printed) called "Steel Workers Organizing Committee" during late 1930s.