In Mexico, the 5th of May is a public holiday known as Cinco de Mayo. This is a yearly celebration which commemorates the anniversary of the victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in Mexico, in 1862. The power and victory over the French army were a great boost in morale for the Mexican community.
Cinco de Mayo is a day when people in the Mexican community celebrate their culture through parades, dancing, music from traditional Mariachi bands, traditional cuisine, and much more!
Many people outside of Mexico mistakenly think that this celebration is the same as the Day of the Dead festival or it’s their Independence Day, but Cinco de Mayo is something completely different. There are lots of websites and articles which help you understand their national days better and how their culture celebrates each special day.
Alongside the celebrations, throughout history, we have seen some incredible artists who are from Mexico who have created some of the world’s most famous paintings. Let’s take a look...
1. Diego Rivera’s The Flower Carrier
This painting is one of Diego’s most successful pieces. It depicts a Mexican man who is painfully struggling to carry a huge basket of flowers on his back. There is also a woman who is standing behind him trying to help the man balance the weight of the basket. This painting was created using Oil Paints, Tempera, and Masonite.
2. Jose Clemente Orozco’s Man of Fire
Man of Fire is a painting created using oil paints. This painting showcases the theme of fire which is known to be a powerful force of destruction. Fire is also a symbol of rebirth and renewal. You can visit this artwork at Instituto Cultural de Cabanas. Having the Man of Fire painting displayed in the Sistine Chapel of Mexico is one of Orozco’s greatest artistic achievements.
3. Frida Kahlo’s Self Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird
Our final pick is one of the most iconic paintings in female history, Frida Kahlo’s self-portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird. This 1940s painting was created after Kahlo’s divorce from Diego Rivera and portrays the ending of her affair with Nickolas Muray who was a photographer. You can visit the original painting at the Ransom Center.
For more information about our sip and paint events, visit our website.