MODERNISM IN MEXICO: ARCHITECTURE, PAINTING, LITERATURE - ART - 2025

The modernism in Mexico is an artistic movement that emerged in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth. It is usually associated preferably with literature, although it also influenced the rest of the arts: from painting to architecture. Although there are discrepancies about where it originated, many sources consider that it was in Spain and Latin America.

This is very visible in the literature, with authors such as Miguel de Unamuno (in the Spanish case) or Rubén Darío (in America). In Mexico there were authors who began to practice it in the s. XIX, but its presence is stronger during the first two decades of the following century, coinciding with the last stage of the Porfiriato and its fall.

It is an innovative movement in all its manifestations, with a different language that sought to modernize the old ways. In Latin America, it also contains a great load of cultural nationalism, trying to claim its own roots and customs.

General characteristics of modernism in Mexico

Considering that many experts place the origin of this current in Latin America, it is not surprising that its Mexican side was one of the most powerful.

Search for national identity

In the works that are usually identified with modernism there is a conscious search for their national identity. It is about leaving behind part of the Spanish cultural heritage and renewing the ideas of the first decades as an independent state, so marked by wars.

I wish to change government

At the beginning of the 20th century, another significant aspect is the confirmation of the desire for change after a long time under the government of Porfirio Díaz. Those renewing winds are also found in art.

Great importance to the decorative arts

Despite the identification of this current with literature, especially with poetry, modernism encompasses all artistic manifestations. There is a decrease in the influence of positivism and realism. As a novelty compared to previous styles, the great importance given to the decorative arts can be pointed out.

The influence of the industrialization that was taking place at that time is also noticeable. Not only because of the buildings created during that period, but also because of the new materials that are incorporated into the art world.

Literature

If there is an artistic manifestation par excellence within Mexican modernism, that is literature.

Despite the fact that most of the experts affirm that the first figure within this current is the Nicaraguan Rubén Darío, Mexico is one of the countries that offers the greatest variety and quality in its authors.

As in the rest of the continent, the fundamental element in Mexican modernism is the pretense of ending the conformism of society. Change is sought, aesthetic and thematic, facing the new with the old.

More than an established current, this movement is a new attitude. In his language he seeks a renewal, even idiomatic, that seeks beauty. It also presents an opposition to Realism, which they consider to have been overcome despite the fact that they come together for some years.

Among the most famous authors are Salvador Díaz Mirón, Manuel Gutiérrez Najera, Amado Nervo and Luís Gonzaga.

Architecture

In other countries it received names such as Art Nouveau, Modern Style or Floreale. In general, it is a groundbreaking style with classicism. New materials began to be used in construction, such as glass or iron, and constructions are filled with asymmetries and curves.

Its implementation in Mexico is somewhat later than that of literature. It took until almost 1910 for new buildings in this style to begin to be seen.

With the arrival of the Revolution, these constructions have a marked nationalist character. What is peculiar about modernism in the country is the way of mixing the Greco-Latin references with national features, also using part of the indigenous heritage.

There were two different aspects within this current: the organicist and the geometric. The first, with examples such as the National Lottery building, seeks a total unity between the interior and exterior. Instead, the second pays special attention to the decorative arts, as can be seen in the Parque San Martín.

Painting

The most common manifestation within modernist painting is muralism. Within this modality, Mexico can boast of having artists such as Diego Rivera or José Clemente Orozco.

They were characterized by the use of color and by a nationalist theme. In the same way, it is very common for the people's struggle against the most powerful to be depicted or for the indigenous world to be emphasized.

Another of the most popular creators was Frida Khalo, who contributed with her works to the importance of modernism in the country.

Music

As in the rest of the artistic manifestations, an eminently nationalist theme is introduced into the music, enhancing the own styles and mixing them with the cultural heritage of the country.

There is also an important research in search of new sounds. As an example, we can point out the mixture of polytonal and neo-modal combinations, but with traditional instruments.

Main representatives

Manuel Gutierrez Najera

He is one of the most important authors within modernism in Mexico and is noted as its initiator. Gutiérrez Nájera was a prominent poet and writer, as well as a surgeon. This last job forced him to use pseudonyms to publish his works, as it would have been frowned upon at the time. The most used pseudonym was Duke Job.

Some of his most outstanding works were For a menu, For then and The Duchess Job.

Salvador Diaz Mirón

Along with the previous one, he is one of the introducers of modernism in Mexico. He worked as a journalist, but it is his facet as a poet that gave him the most recognition.

Some authors consider that he wrote some of the most complex lines in Spanish, especially in his Lascas. He had to go into exile in Spain for his criticism of the government of Venustiano Carranza.

Diego Rivera

The most famous muralist in the country. His works always stand out for their social content due to his communist ideas. Some of his murals are in Mexico City, although there are also in Buenos Aires or New York.

Angel Zárraga

The good economic position of his family allowed him to travel around Europe, where he soaked up the type of art that was being made at the beginning of the 20th century. His murals demonstrate this influence, especially from Cézanne and Giotto.

Julian Carrillo Trujillo

One of the most important musicians of modernism, not only Mexican, but international. He was a conductor and composer, and is considered the pioneer of microtonalism.

References

1. Hernández Lobunsky, Miguel Ángel. Modernist architecture in Mexico City. Obtained from cuadrivio.net
2. Ruiz Velázquez, Sergio Alberto. Mexican Modernist Painters. Retrieved from designnnnnn01.wordpress.com
3. Quadratín drafting. Modernism in Mexican literature. Obtained from quadratin.com.mx
4. Panero, James. Modernism and Mexico. Retrieved from neh.gov
5. Stonor Saunders, Frances. Mexico: The Cauldron of Modernism. Retrieved from theguardian.com
6. Budick, Ariella. Mexican Modernism: a savage vision. Retrieved from www.ft.com
7. Landau, Ellen G. Mexico and American Modernism. Retrieved from yalebooks.yale.edu
8. Franco, A. Mexican Modernismo. Recovered from cambridge.org