Art and Architecture during the Porfiriato

Here's a painting of an older Porfirio Diaz. (Sorry about the bad quality)

A lot of things were enhanced/ created when this man was president: paths, bridges, and schools doubled in number, Mexico’s international communication and allies were improved; and the agriculture grew as well. Most importantly though (for my project, anyway) is the way the artistic sector of Mexico bloomed. Due to the foreign influence, much of the architecture viewed resembles monuments in Europe, which really transformed the Mexican landscape. I don’t think there was a time in Mexican history that impacted the arts as much as this one; there were so many newfound, amazing artists that just popped up when Porfirio was president.

Porfirio Díaz wasn’t a great president, precisely, he just had a stubborn vision he wished to accomplish; and if that is what he wanted it could not be prevented. The worst part about Porfirio being president is he disregarded the poor citizens of Mexico, so they were treated often treated like slaves, especially if they were of indigenous origin. The social imbalance was the most notable and serious issue during the Porfiriato, but it was certainly not the only one. The fact that Porfirio was a dictator tended to cause some uprisings and forming enemies within the political community was not very hard.

When I began browsing through the internet to find a good topic for my P3-already knowing that I wanted to do something related to art- I found the Porfiriato was mentioned as a very important period of time for the arts in Mexico. What I have been researching for the past months are the different architects and artists during the Porfiriato (the most important), and the monuments built and paintings made of higher relevance. I discovered the purpose of each of the structures I considered of great significance and which styles they consist of. There were various issues amid the construction of many monuments due to the war of Independence and uprisings from the rebel citizens, but they were all successfully established in the end.

• Italian architect Adamo Boari

• French architect Émile Bénard

• Artist Diego Rivera

• Writer Ignacio Manuel Altamirano

• Writer Manuel Payno

• Writer Justo Sierra Méndez

• Artist José María Velasco Gómez

• Artist Saturnino Herrán

• Artist José Guadalupe Posada

• Musician Juventino Rosas

• Musician Ricardo Castre

• Musician Felipe Villanueva

• Author Federico Gamboa

• Story-teller Angel del Campo

• Poet Manuel Gutiérrez Nájera

• Poet Manuel José Othón

• Poet Salvador Díaz Mirón

• Poet Amado Nervo

• Artist Alfaro Siqueiros

• Artist José Clemente Orozco

• Architect Rivas Mercado

Diego Rivera was a very well known Mexican painter and muralist born on December 8th, 1886 in Guanajuato City, Mexico. Since he was born around ten years after Porfirio Díaz took over the country, his career as a painter developed later on, shortly before the fall of Díaz’s domain. Even though Diego Rivera was hired to paint for the government, he liked to show things as they were, and took some risks by displaying the imbalance between the poor and the rich in society; as well as the importance of simple peasants who worked hard everyday to sustain those of higher class. He created numerous paintings- and they were all quite different- but I noticed how many of his paintings held meanings that were represented in a way he pictured them as: the one mural I saw this in was “Man at the Crossroads”, where so many different things were crowded unto the large wall that you had to really think about what they all symbolized and kind of pick them apart.

José María Velasco Gómez is considered one of the greatest landscape painters of the 19th century. He painted each landscape with meticulous detail and care, making the time and weather distinguishable, and utilizing numerous different shades of oil paint he mixed to attain that effect in his works. The lavish Mexican scenery in the 19th and 20th centuries inspired Velasco, and he painted the Valley of Mexico (Mexico City) nine times, each from a different perspective. He even studied a few of the scientific fields- such as botany, anatomy, and geology- thinking they would help him to expand his artistic skills. Surprisingly, his works of art were not well received in Mexico at first, but when he traveled to Paris to explore the Impressionist technique, they earned him first place in one of the exhibitions. Thankfully, Velasco’s art is much more appreciated now in Mexico, since they have seen what a great influence he was, and a museum featuring his paintings was opened in 1992 in Toluca City.

Adamo Boari was hired in different countries for his great skill in architecture and civil engineering. Born in Ferrara, Italy, Adamo traveled to Brazil, Argentina, the United States, and Mexico, bringing with him the distinct European culture that would come to influence these countries so much. He studied in both the university of Ferrara and Bologna and graduated in 1886, which is around the time he began visiting other countries to further expand his great skill. When Adamo arrived at Mexico, he started contributing with the construction of churches, but once the president Porfirio noticed his excellent and unique technique, he asked him to design two very important structures: the Postal Palace, and the Palace of Fine Arts- both which are located in the Historic Center of Mexico. The new design Adamo introduced to the Mexican people is named Art Nouveau; it stands out against other constructions due to its intricate, wavy patterns and elegant layout.

Émile Bénard was a French man who pursued the profession of architecture and painting. He is often confused with French impressionist Émile Bernard, but they were born in different decades and were two completely distinct people. Émile was responsible for designing two very important buildings, among others: The Berkeley Campus in California, and The Federal Legislative Palace in Mexico. He had the privilege to take on the project of The Berkeley Campus since he was able to meet the expectations for the proportion and appearance- he created some beautiful drawings to plan what the completed structure would look like. Not only were the directors delighted with the completed project, but it also earned him international recognition, which is how the president Porfirio Díaz ended up choosing him for another very significant task: the construction of The Federal Legislative Palace.

The (never completed) Federal Legislative Palace

Palace of Fine Arts (1909)

Diego Rivera

Child Labour, Porfiriato

Thank you!

Art and Architecture during the Porfiriato

Here is a list of 21 influential artists, writers, architects, and poets during the Porfiriato

Well, first of all, what is the Porfiriato?

"Man at the Crossroads"

Émile Bénard

What is the focus of my project?

The Porfiriato was the period of time for which a dictator named Porfirio Díaz governed the whole of Mexico. He was smart and cunning, and he knew just how to win over the citizens of Mexico before transforming the first four years of his regime into a nightmare for all. Since he was smart though, he took a different approach the next twenty-six years or so of his presidency, and brought so much to the country of Mexico that he could not be despised nowadays.

What improved then, while Porfirio was president?

José María Velasco

What were the disadvantages of having this new president?

"Valley of Mexico" viewed from Tepeyac

Adamo Boari

Palace of Fine Arts (Art Noveau and Art Deco)