Child Mother

1921

The magazine “Vida Americana” and a manifesto in Barcelona

In 1921 in Barcelona Siqueiros published the magazine Vida Americana, in which he issued a manifesto calling on the artists of America to reject the decadent influence of Europe and create a new form of public art with the latest tools and technology.

1922

Joins the Mexican Communist Party

From 1922 Siqueiros was a member of the Mexican Communist Party; other Mexican artists, Diego Rivera among them, took part in the communist movement alongside him.

from April 1937 until 1938

On the fronts of the Spanish Civil War

In April 1937 Siqueiros went to Spain to support the Spanish Republic against Franco’s forces with his art, but volunteered and served in frontline combat as a lieutenant colonel in the Army of the Republic through 1938, before returning to Mexico City.

24 May 1940

The attack on Trotsky’s house in Coyoacán

In the early morning of 24 May 1940 Siqueiros led an attack on Leon Trotsky’s house in the Mexico City suburb of Coyoacán; the party consisted of men who had served under him in the Spanish Civil War and of miners from his union. The house was raked with machine-gun fire and explosives, but Trotsky was unhurt and only his 14-year-old grandson was shot; the police later found in a shallow grave the body of Robert Sheldon Harte, an American communist and Trotsky’s bodyguard, executed by one shot to the head.

1960

Arrested for criticising President López Mateos

In 1960 Siqueiros was arrested for openly criticising President Adolfo López Mateos and leading protests against the arrests of striking workers and teachers; the charges were commonly known to be false. In prison he continued to paint, and his works continued to sell.

6. Januar 1974

Died