Diego Rivera Murals: The Famous Rivera/Rockerfeller Dispute

In 1933, the famous New York Rockefeller familythe modern worker confronted by a symbolic
commissioned Diego Rivera to paint a mural on thejunction of industry, capitalism, socialism and science.
wall of the new RCA centre. The theme for the wallThe newest of the Diego Rivera murals was
was to be "new frontiers", and it was Nelson A.provisionally called "Man at the Crossroads Looking
Rockefeller himself who wanted the painting to forcewith Hope and High Vision to the Choosing of a New
people to stop and think about its message. Theand Better Future." The mural was spectacular and
finished product depicted a number of scenes thatachieved Nelson Rockefeller's goal of creating a work
referred to socially relevant events of the time.that was arresting and inspiring. Among some of the
However, there was one element of the mural thatinfluential personalities portrayed on the canvas were
the Rockefellers deemed too controversial andJean Harlow, Charlie Chaplin, Edsel Ford and the
Rivera was asked to change the prominent face of afamous Russian communist leader Vladimir Lenin.
well-known political figure. What began as an effortUpon completion of the mural, Rivera revealed his
to bring an eye-catching and thought provoking workwork to the Rockefellers, but their response was not
of art to the Rockefeller Centre soon turned into awhat he had expected. When Nelson Rockefeller
major conflict that would involve America's richestadamantly demanded that Rivera remove the image
family, Mexico's most famous artist, and the entireof Lenin and replace it with the face of another
American public.historically influential leader, Rivera refused and the
Diego Rivera murals had gained huge attention in themural was subsequently covered for an entire year.
artist's home country of Mexico. The task of creatingAlthough many American citizens protested to what
a painting on one of America's most famousthey perceived to be artistic censorship, the painting
landmarks, however, promised to be the job thatwould never see the light of day in the States and it
would bring Rivera international fame. It is said that,was eventually chiseled off the wall at Rockefeller's
initially, the Rockefeller family, who favoured a morerequest.
modern style of art, wanted Henri Matisse or PabloObjecting to having his work censored, Diego Rivera
Picasso to handle the enormous task, but becauselater reproduced the mural in its original form on the
the two artists were unavailable for hire, Diegointerior wall of the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico
Rivera was approached. Seizing the greatCity. His new painting was as grand and thought
opportunity, Rivera accepted the commission andprovoking as the original, but Rivera chose to call this
immediately began work on the large mural.new version, "Man Controller of the Universe." Today,
Although the Rockefeller family had put forward thethis most controversial of the Diego Rivera murals is
idea for the theme "new frontiers", Riverastill displayed in Mexico City and many a fan of Rivera
disapproved with the Western world's embrace ofstill dispute the Rockefeller family's decision to
free enterprise. Choosing instead to follow his ownprevent the work from being viewed.
political beliefs, Rivera painted scenes that depicted