José Clemente Orozco, the Mexican muralist of social causes

In addition, Orozco He traveled through Europe, where he studied the great masters of the Baroque and met the avant -garde artists, so that, upon his return to Mexico in 1934, he embodied all those influences under a nationalist current.

In 1943 he participated as Founding Member of the National College and in 1946 he joined the mural painting commission of the National Institute of Fine Arts with Siqueiros and Rivera.

Before his death in 1949 in Mexico City as a result of a cardiac arrest, Orozco received the National Prize for Fine Arts Thanks to its artistic legacy.

Katharsis of José Clemente Orozco in the Palace of Fine Arts.

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What are the most important works of José Clemente Orozco?

José Clemente Orozco He left a great legacy of works, including easel paintings, murals in public buildings and some graphics and cartoons. Some of his most famous works are:

Women dancing, 1913

A watercolor work on small format paper that reflects the silhouette of four women dancing. This work moves away from the realistic figurism used by Orozco and approaches its artist's beginnings and its interest in the social situations of bars and cabarets.

Location: Andrés Blaisten Collection, CDMX

Omniscience, 1925

One of the most seen murals in Mexico City due to its central and iconic location. This work of Orozco plasma female fertility as well as knowledge. Its creation is due to a commission from Francisco Sergio Iturbe to Orozco and the embodied represents the fundamental importance of women in society.

Location: House of the Tiles, CDMX

Cortés and La Malinche, 1926

This mural commissioned by José Vasconcelos represents the roots of our culture as well as the elements that make up our national identity. Recreate the origin of our race and allow the viewer to reflect on our past.

Location: Old College of San Ildefonso, CDMX

Prometheus, 1930

This mural is from the first painter by Orozco out of Mexico. This work plasma the existing symbols in the interaction of California with Mexico. Orozco was based on Prometheus's myth for the creation of the mural.

Location: Pomona College Museum of Art, California

Gods of the Modern World, 1932

The impact of European peoples on the indigenous peoples of North America is reflected in this work. Additionally, the theme of the mural formed by 24 panels includes concepts such as migration, human sacrifices, the golden century, among others.

Location: Dartmouth College, USA

Katharsis, 1934

One of Orozco's most celebrated works, this mural concentrates the artist's iconocity, showing its dynamic and violent forms between war, chaos, color, struggle and people. The work presents a fragment of our modern society.

Location: Palace of Fine Arts, CDMX

The man in flames, 1939

Taking advantage of the vault form, Estra Work shows a human being in internal and external struggle. Orozco plasma human pain using a man who contortes himself wrapped in fire.

Location: Hospice Cabañas in Guadalajara