Night of the Rich

Diego Rivera is a memorable artist of the 20th century, who pursued his talent since childhood. After travelling to places, he learnt various techniques from other artists’ work.

When a comparison is made among his paintings, they mainly dealt with the history and the life of the Mexicans. In 1930, he became famous for the large murals he painted and displayed in public places. Some of his painting include Flower seller, Man at the Crossroads, Night of the Rich among others.

Diego Rivera finished Night of the Rich during the Mexican Revolution. He centres his art on the Marxist theory since he considered change as progress. In his painting, he displays his hate for the rich and capitalists. Night of the Rich is somehow related to the Night of the Poor by the same artist.

From the paint, Rivera shows how the rich and the poor behave. The rich are full of pride and greed and capitalism is to blame. They are not aware that the proletariat is on the rise and will take over. On the other hand, the proletariat is full of anger and discontent, and they are not happy from the look on their faces. The painting is available in Mexico City, and most people honour it so much.

Diego Rivera used fresco as a technique. The method uses mural painting and some elements to come up with a masterpiece. Fresco is a painting on a wall or ceiling by application of pigment. Portable fresco panel, sand, pigments, milk of lime are some of the materials essential for the painting.

Furthermore, painting tools are also needed such as round and flat brushes and palette. Tracing paper, transfer paper, spatula, grinding plate, mixing board, mortar hoe, gauging trowel, utility brush and stylus are also important. Mortar and pestle are used for grinding the pigments. Utility brush is for cleaning of surfaces and tools.

Scaffolding is the first step; structures are made to stand on when drawing. The wall is later prepared by application of plaster. Smearing of arriccio (layer of plaster made of lime paste and sand), mapping out the drawing, preparation of intonaco and paint.