Artist Birthdays December 8 – DIEGO RIVERA, ARISTIDE MAILLOL

DIEGO RIVERA (Dec. 8, 1886 – Nov. 24, 1957)

• Nationality: Mexican
• Field: Painting
• Art Movement: Mexican Mural Movement / Social Realism
• ARTiFact: He was still married when he met the art student Frida Kahlo. They married on August 21, 1929 when he was 42 and she was 22. Their mutual infidelities and his violent temper led to divorce in 1939, but they remarried December 8, 1940.
• Artist Quote: “I’ve never believed in God, but I believe in Picasso.”
• Notable Artwork (shown below): Detroit Industry, North Wall (detail), 1932–33.

ARISTIDE MAILLOL (Dec. 8, 1861 – Sept. 27, 1944)

• Nationality: French
• Field: Painting, sculpture
• Art Movement: Art Nouveau / Nabi
• ARTiFact: He began his career as a painter and tapestry designer; he was almost 40 years old when an eye disease forced him to give up tapestry weaving, and so he turned his attention to sculpture.
• Artist Quote: “I express myself in sculpture since I am not a poet.”
• Notable Artwork (shown below): Mediterranean, 1923-27.

Related Links:

• Learn More About the Artist Diego Rivera
• Learn More About the Artist Aristide Maillol
• Park West Gallery Artist Biographies
• More Artist Birthdays and Art Trivia
• Take the Park West Gallery Virtual Tour