Diego Rivera's Last Self-Portrait

MARY-ANNE MARTIN/FINE ART will exhibit a previously unknown self-portrait by the famous Mexican muralist, Diego Rivera, at The Art Show of the Art Dealers Association of America, in February 1996. Recently acquired by Mary-Anne Martin/Fine Art, this signed, circa 1956 caricature drawing in graphite on tan paper was recently authenticated by Dr. Ramon Favela, Professor of Art History at the University of Southern California at Santa Barbara, who is preparing the definitive catalogue of Diego Rivera's works. According to Favela, only seven self-portrait drawings by Rivera have come to light so far and as of now only fourteen self-portraits of the artist in any medium will be included in his catalogue.

Diego Rivera Self-Portraitca. 1956 pencil on tan paper 18 1/4 x 19 in. (46.4 x 48.3 cm)

The work was known to us since1978, but it had never been researched or authenticated. When presented with the opportunity to acquire the work, we took a chance that our instincts were correct and bought the piece. The drawing shows the artistas an old man, with soft, sagging features and wooly hair, gazing out at the viewer. Rivera exhibits no vanity or self-delusion; his features are ravaged by time, yet he still has a twinkle in his eye and appears positive and hopeful. We thought the work had awitty, self-mocking quality and that the painter was depicting himself "warts and all." However, Dr. Favela's favorable opinion was crucial, since we guarantee authenticity of the works that we sell. In his letter of authentication, Favela writes, "it is the 'last' known self-portrait by the Mexican artist in any medium to appear on the market, thus far. I am dating it to circa 1956, the year before Rivera's death at the age of 70.... In my opinion, Rivera sketched this Self-Portrait sometime between his return to Mexico from the Soviet Union where he underwent cancer radiation therapy in 1955-56, and when he appears quite healthy and reposed, and in the last months of his life in 1957, when his health was visibly deteriorating. The drawing of a clearly healthy but old Diego Rivera appears to have been spontaneously executed using a mirror and signed on the spot, which also adds to its rarity."