Tuesday, September 15, 2026 -AMAZING MASTERPIECES IN A WONDERFUL SETTING
DETROIT:
DAY 1
DIEGO RIVERA AT THE
DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15th, 2026
JUDITH BERDY
Issue # 1747
After a 90 minute flight from New York we arrived in Detroit for a 3 day adventure in the Motor City.
The first stop was the Detroit Institute of Art. On the must see list was the Diego Rivera murals.
Entering the museum a grand foyer with sparkling chandeliers greet you and you proceed into the gallery.
The water fountain exudes the richness of the museum.
Detroit Industry Murals
1932-1933
Diego M. RiveraMexican, 1886 – 1957
About the Artwork
The themes established on the east wall are continued on the west wall, where the technologies of the air (aviation) and water (shipping and pleasure boating) are represented in the upper panels. The half-face/half-skull in the central monochrome panel symbolizes both the coexistence of life and death as well as humanity’s spiritual and physical aspects, while the star symbolizes aspirations and hope for civilization. This heraldic image introduces another major theme of the cycle: the dual qualities of human beings, nature, and technology. Vertical panels on each side of the west entrance to the court introduce the automobile industry theme through the representation of Power House No. I, the energy source for the Rouge complex.
TitleDetroit Industry Murals
Artwork Date1932-1933
ArtistDiego M. Rivera
Life Dates1886 – 1957
Nationality Mexican
Culture ———-
MediumFrescoes
Dimensionsvarious dimensions
ClassificationPaintings
DepartmentAmerican Art before 1950
CreditGift of Edsel B. Ford
Accession Number 33.10
CopyrightARS represents the Bank of Mexico on Rivera and Kahlo’s works of art with a few exceptions. Our murals are one of the exceptions and they are in public domain when published in the United States.
A brief video shows Rivera planning, sketching and painting the murals on the giant canvas’. Freida Callo sits with him taking notes.
The first image is a baby in a womb.
The murals are overwhelming to take in all in one visit. The images of the 1920’s assembly line with the workers, some protected, all doing dangerous tasks.
On each side of a door way are images of a worker at the Rouge power house and a manager supposedly looking partially like Henry Ford.
On the glove of the worker is a red star.
At all times there is a staff member to explain the complex stories of the mural.
PHOTO OF THE DAY
CREDIT
JUDITH BERDY
All image are copyrighted (c) Roosevelt Island Historical Society unless otherwise indicated
THIS PUBLICATION FUNDED BY DISCRETIONARY FUNDS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER JULIE MENIN & ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION PUBLIC PURPOSE FUNDS.
Copyright © 2026 Roosevelt Island Historical Society, All rights reserved.Our mailing address is:
rooseveltislandhistory@gmail.com
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