Zapata's Horse 1930

Diego Rivera made this mural, Zapata’s Horse, at the Palace of Cortés in Cuernavaca, Mexico. It’s like he’s building up this whole world, bit by bit. Rivera’s got this amazing way of making flat walls feel like they’re bursting with life. The colors are earthy and deep, you can almost feel the grit and sweat. I’m drawn to the horse, how it's so white against everything else. It's a real presence. If you look closely at the way Rivera painted the horse's mane, you’ll see how each stroke is so deliberate, giving the animal a sense of urgency. Rivera reminds me of Goya, with his unflinching look at the world. They both knew how to make art that could speak truth to power, you know?