Amazing, Larger-than-life Murals

One of the places we visit in Guadalajara is the Instituto Cultural de Cabanas, near Tapatio Plaza. It was formerly an orphanage from the 1800s. Today its domed ceilings are covered with massive murals painted by Orozco, depicting the history of Mexico.

Orozco reached the summit of his art with the frescos he painted in this building. They include a historical panorama of Mexico showing the pre-Hispanic world of the great Indian civilizations, the Conquest, visions of the downtrodden, public service as opposed to demagoguery, the perils of alienation and dictatorship, the Revolution, creative activity and a man engulfed in flames, evoking a Promethean theme which had appeared in his previous work. The twenty-foot-high figures stare down at you, including Aztecs, severe Spanish Conquistadors, innocent looking priests, and leaders of the Mexican Revolution such as Hidalgo and Allende.


For more pictures of the mural, click here and then click on the link for "At Guadalajara"