Man Loading Donkey with Firewood
Painted in 1938, this image of a farmer and his donkey is a charming example of Rivera’s many portrayals of rural Mexican life. Without seeing his face, we are free to impose any identity on the hat-wearing farmer – he could by any of the myriad agricultural workers scattered throughout the nation. The forward facing donkey, stacks of wood on his back, faces the viewer, eyes wide and vibrant. Playing with a sense of perspective, Rivera uses a shallow foreground to achieve a sense of closeness and intimacy.
Creator: Diego Rivera
Date: 1938
Original Medium: Oil on canvas
Original Size: 24 1/2 x 19 1/4 in.
Location: Santa Barbara Museum of Art