Behold, the History of Mexico! Diego Rivera immortalized Mexico’s story on these very walls of La Muralla. It’s a vibrant narrative painted right here in the National Palace.
Commissioned after the Mexican Revolution, La Muralla aimed to celebrate the overthrow of the Porfirio Diaz dictatorship. The government wanted murals to depict Mexican history. Rivera began painting La Muralla in 1929. It took him six years to complete this masterpiece.
La Muralla is divided into three distinct sections. These sections span three walls and present Mexican history chronologically. We see ancient Mexico, the colonial past, and even a vision of the future. Some parts of La Muralla stretch as large as 70 by 9 meters.
Let’s start with the north wall. This section shows ancient Aztec culture. The sun dominates this wall. It was the center of the world in the Aztec religion. Below the sun, you’ll spot a pyramid and an Aztec leader. Rivera also captured daily Aztec life. Artisans weave, mothers carry babies, and people create scrolls. Religious practices also appear. There are dances to the Sun God and worship of snakes and jaguars. Rivera included geographical details too. See the volcanoes around the Valley of Mexico? Look closely at the corn and other crops.
Now, let’s turn to the west wall of La Muralla. It summarizes Mexican history through conflicts and revolutions. Common Mexicans and Indians revolt against Spanish, French, and dictators. Porfirio Diaz is a key figure here. Aztecs fight Hernán Cortés at the bottom. Spaniards destroy Aztec religious symbols during the Inquisition in the middle. The sides depict the colonial period. A Spaniard conquistador rapes a Native American woman. Natives are forced into slavery. They construct buildings including this very National Palace. Catholic conversion is also portrayed. The center features an eagle with a serpent. It’s a symbol of both Aztec culture and modern Mexico. The upper corners show the Second French Intervention. Benito Juarez triumphs over Maximilian. The upper center depicts the Mexican Revolution. Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa lead peasant armies. A red banner proclaims “Tierra y Libertad” or “Land and Liberty”.
Finally, observe the south wall of La Muralla. This section envisions Mexico’s future. It includes factories, the Soviet flag, and workers. Karl Marx holds the Communist Manifesto. Rivera also painted his wife Frida Kahlo. Kahlo and her sister Cristina are socialist teachers. They bring a bright future to schoolchildren.
Rivera portrayed the rich and foreigners as evil. He presented the poor, peasants, and Native Americans as good. He captured the Mexican culture. Bright colors, rich traditions, and old customs fill La Muralla. It declares that the revolution brought justice to the oppressed. This mural is a testament to Mexican resilience. It is a vivid depiction of their past and aspirations.