By the time the 20th century had come about,
Mexico established itself as one of Latin America’s
main art centers, especially during the first half of the
century. A distinct group of José
Guadalupe Posada’s followers, which included such
artists as Diego
Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and José Clemente
Orozco revived the Mexican art of fresco painting, didactic
murals and easel painting. Subject matter was generally based
on cultural nationalism and revolutionary politics. Another
popular and very famous Mexican artist of the time was Frida
Kahlo, who is known for using popular Mexican art motifs
in her work.
After the Second
World War, many artists were attracted to international modernism
and gravitated to cities such as Barcelona, Paris and New
York. Even so, twentieth century art in Mexico continues to
develop, mixing and blending the prehistoric, the native and
the modern, the national with the international. This successful
integration of architecture, painting, sculpture and decorative
arts has led to the unique style of Mexican art known and
appreciated in our world today.
