Mysteries of a Cover
Mysteries of a Cover1
Mysteries of a Cover
Spring 2016
Latin American and Caribbean Collection, 3rd Floor
George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida
Curated byKatianaBagué with supervision from Margarita Vargas-Betancourt
Introductory label: Guadalupe Marín, born in 1895 in Jalisco, Mexico is well known for being one of the wives of renowned Mexican artist and muralist Diego Rivera. She is depicted in several works by Rivera, and even in some of the works of Mexican surrealist, Frida Kahlo, who would become Rivera’s next wife. However, outside of the context of these two grand figures, not much is discussed of Marín. A novelist and a witness to the happenings of Post- Revolutionary Mexico, Marín is a figure worth mentioning and deserves a more thorough investigation.
Guadalupe Marín (Mexican, 1895-1983)
La única
1938`
Editorial Jalisco
PQ7297 .M2783 U55 1938
Rare Books Collection, Special & Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida
Guadalupe Marín’s novel, La única, gives the reader access to a historical figure rarely mentioned in detail. While fiction, her novel, contains some autobiographical elements that reveal aspects of her marriage with Diego Rivera. The cover art and portrait on one of the first few pages of the novel are illustrations by Rivera. Thus, even though both were divorced at the time, it is evident that theymaintained some type of a relationship. The figure on the right of the cover is Marín herself, looking at the viewer boldly, making contact with the reader.
Elena Poniatowska (French born Mexican, 1932- )
Liluskikus
1954
Los Presentes
PQ 7297 .P63 L5
Rare Books Collection, Special & Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida
Elena Poniatowska’s first novelhas many feminist qualities. Poniatowska’s protagonist is a young girl who is modeled by society to become a bride. The author uses this figure to identify the flaws of adult society. Following the life of this fictional character and considering the other works of Poniatowska, it is evident that the author tries to authentically capture the lives of female figures and present their significance. This role is clearly seen in her depiction of Guadalupe Marín in her later novelDos vecesúnica.
Elena Poniatowska (French born Mexican, 1932- )
Dos veces unica
2015
Seix Barral Bilblioteca Breve
PQ 7297 .P63 D67 2015
Latin American and Caribbean Collection, Special & Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida
Elena Poniatowska, well established author and journalist, takes on the task of presenting Guadalupe Marín's story. She asserts that Marín is definitely a figure worthy of discussion, and in comparison to Frida Kahlo, no less interesting. The title,Dos vecesúnica, plays on the title of Marín's novel. Poniatowskaplaces Marín in the context of Post- Revolutionary Mexico and establishes her significance among important figures of that time. The cover of the book features a photograph of Diego Rivera and Marín, with their daughter Ruth Rivera.
Bertam Wolfe (American, 1896-1977)
The Fabulous Life of Diego Rivera
1963
Stein and Day
759 .972 R621 Yw2
Latin American and Caribbean Collection, Special & Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida
Bertam Wolfe, Diego Rivera’s biographer and close acquaintance, attempts to justly represent the life of a grand artist and personality. In reference to Guadalupe Marín, Wolfe dedicates a whole chapter, Wild Beauty, to describing “Lupe” and her relationship with Rivera. Wolfe not only recounts of Marín’s beauty, but also her significant role as inspiration and companion in Rivera’s life and artistic practices. It is important however to realize that Wolfe doesn’t present Marín’s importance in her own light, but only in relation to Rivera.
Raquel Tibol (Argentinian, 1923-2015)
Diego Rivera: gran ilustrador
2007
Museo Nacional de Arte
NC976 .M62 R582 2007
Latin American and Caribbean Collection, Special & Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida
This book by critic and art historian Raquel Tibolfeatures a collection of images of Diego Rivera’s illustrative works. Through the images, it is clear that both his illustrations and his murals share many similarities. One can also compare these illustrations to the cover art and portrait found in Guadalupe’s Marín’s novel La única.
Antonio Rodriguez (1909-)
Canto a la tierra: los murales de Diego Rivera en la Capilla de Chapingo
1986
Universidad Autónoma Chapingo
ND 2644 .R597 1986
Latin American and Caribbean Collection, Special & Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida
This publication is dedicated to the investigation of Diego Rivera’s 1927 mural program found in the Chapel Chapingo (now a university) in Mexico. Antonio Rodríguez offers insightful visual analyses, along with images of the different sections of the mural. In the apse of the north wall, Guadalupe Marín is featured as an allegorical figure of the Fertile Earth. Identified by her iconic green eyes, Rivera depicts Marín with her nude pregnant figure facing the viewer. From the photograph shown, Marín’s figure seems to be the most prominent and the one the viewer first engages with while entering the space.
Luis Martin Lozano
Diego Rivera, the Complete Murals
2008
Taschen
ND 259 .R5 L6913 2008
Latin American and Caribbean Collection, Special & Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida
Luis Martin Lozano provides insights and stunning images of Diego Rivera’s mural programs. The first mural program featured in the publication is the 1923 Creation mural found in the Old College of San Idefonso in Mexico. In this mural, Guadalupe Marín is featured a few times as different allegorical figures. In one instance, she personifies Strength, shown on the right side of the mural. The figure is depicted with Marín’s green eyes, a halo and wearing gray black attire while holding a dagger.