The Use of Path Dependence to Explain Representations of United States Industrialism in Mexico in Diego Rivera's Murals
Open Access
Author:
Ferrari, Mary A
Area of Honors:
Spanish
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
John Andres Ochoa, Thesis Supervisor John Lipski, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
murals path dependence theory mexican art diego rivera u.s. industry
Abstract:
This thesis analyzes Diego Rivera’s representation of United States industrialism in Mexico through his mural works. The following analysis examines three separate mural series created by Rivera during Mexico’s post-revolutionary era to determine how and why Diego Rivera simultaneously created positive and negative depictions of U.S. industry in his works. Further, this paper compares Diego Rivera’s appreciation and criticism of U.S. industrialism and its relationship with Mexico to concepts from the social science theory of path dependence. The theory of path dependence serves to explain Rivera’s admiration of American modernization alongside his denunciation of American capitalism.
