DIEGO RIVERA - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 12/05/1929 - HFSID 251553

DIEGO RIVERA


The worldwide famous Mexican muralist signs this typed letter in which he refers Roberto de la Selva who had just arrived from New York to Mexico City with the purpose of manufacturing Mexican style dresses for the U.S. market, signed in black ink


Typed Letter Signed: “Tu amigo y atento servidor/ Diego Rivera” in black ink, in English: "Your friend and obedient servant/Diego Rivera", 1page, 8¼x10½. Place: Mexico City. Date: December 5, 1929. Addresed to: Mr. Jorge Enciso. In full from Spanish: "I have the pleasure of presenting Roberto de la Selva to you, who is the brother of our mutual friend Salomón, who worked much in New York for the Mexican art. He has come from there with the purpose of developing an idea which he has of manufacturing Mexican style dresses for the U.S. market and since I believe my friend Roberto's plan is very interesting, I would be grateful to you for helping him in whatever is possible. This help, above all, would be that of supplying him with a place for a shop, which for you I think would be easy in one of the buildings under the department of which you are chief, in the Museum or in one of the branch offices of the Secretary of Education. I believe I can thank you in advance for the service I am asking for Roberto and I take the occasion to thank you affectionately. Your friend and obedient servant Diego Rivera". Diego Maria de la Concepcion Juan Nepomuceno Estanislao de la Rivera y Barrientos Acosta y Rodriguez (1886-1957) was a protuberant Mexican painter and muralist who since the age of two showed proved to be a great painter. His large wall works in fresco helped the establishment of the Mexican Mural Movement in Mexican art. Between 1922 and 1953 he painted murals among others in Mexico City, Chapingo, Cuernavaca, San Francisco, Detroit and New York City. Diego was married twice with fellow painter Frida Kahlo and even though they had a turbulent relationship it is said that they loved each other in their own way. He was invited to paint a mural at the Rockefeller Center in New York City and the result was Man at the Crossroads, which caused a huge furor in the press over a portrait of Vladimir Lenin it contained. However, when Diego refused to remove such portrait he was ordered to leave but one of his assistants took a few pictures of the mural so Diego could recreate it later. Rivera took part in the founding of the Revolutionary Union of Technical Workers, Painters and Sculptors, and later became a member of the Mexican Communist Party, from where he expelled himself in 1929. His murals, often painted in fresco only, dealt with Mexican society and reflected the country's 1910 Revolution. Lightly worn and creased. Nicks at top and bottom edges. Light type offset below letter. Folds do not touch signature. Otherwise, fine condition.