Diego Rivera (1886 – 1957) was a Mexican painter, best known for his murals in public buildings in Mexico and the United States.

He studied traditional painting and sculpting techniques in the San Carlos Academy of Fine Arts when he was approximately 12 years old and in 1907, he received a government sponsorship to study in Europe. His first stop was Madrid and the San Fernando Royal Academy and then he moved to Paris where he lived and worked for several years.

Early in his career, he dabbled in Cubism and later embraced Post-Impressionism, but he had a unique style and perspective.

He was involved in the world of politics as a dedicated Marxist and joined the Mexican Communist Party in 1922. He hosted Russian exile Leon Trotsky and his wife at his home in Mexico City in the 1930s.

Rivera led a turbulent life, he was married four times and twice with Fridha Kahlo.

From 1930 to 1931 lived in San Francisco where he painted three murals.

He became a countercultural symbol of 20th century and he was a central force in the development of national art in Mexico.

Source: https://www.diegorivera.org