Restored 1930s Mural in Mexico Warns of Fascism's Resurgence

A Restored Mural Warns of Fascism's Resurgence

In the heart of Morelia, Michoacán, a long-forgotten mural from the 1930s has been brought back to life. Titled "The Struggle Against Terrorism," this powerful artwork depicts a history of persecution and resistance, stretching from biblical times to the modern day. Its unveiling comes at a time when some historians warn of a renewed threat of fascism in the world.

The mural, spanning a 40-foot wall in a colonial courtyard, is a stark reminder of the dangers of intolerance and oppression. Giant figures loom across the wall, referencing the life of Jesus, the Spanish Inquisition, the Ku Klux Klan, and even Nazi and Communist symbols. Tools of torture serve as a chilling reminder of the human cost of such ideologies.

Painted in 1934 by Philip Guston and Reuben Kadish, two young Jewish-American artists, the mural was their first major commission. At a time of political turmoil in the US, with the rise of fascism and the Ku Klux Klan, the artists felt compelled to create a work that spoke to the dangers of these movements.

Their journey to Mexico remains shrouded in some mystery. It is believed that David Alfaro Siqueiros, a pioneer of Mexican muralism, encouraged them to come. Following the Mexican Revolution, artists like Siqueiros and Diego Rivera sought to educate the largely illiterate population through large-scale murals on public buildings.

In Morelia, the university rector, Gustavo Corona, envisioned the city as "the Florence of Mexico." He invited artists to paint murals, including the 18th-century colonial building that housed the university. Guston and Kadish eagerly embraced the opportunity to express themselves on this vast canvas.

Their six months in Morelia remain largely undocumented. Only a few photos of the artists at work or posing in front of the completed mural exist. Sadly, soon after its completion, the mural was hidden away and almost forgotten.

In the 1940s, the museum director coveted a painting owned by the church. In exchange for acquiring it, he agreed to cover up the mural, which contained nude figures and an inverted cross. For decades, the artwork remained hidden behind a false wall.

It wasn't until 1974 that the mural was rediscovered by chance during maintenance work. Damaged by humidity and grime, it required two years of meticulous restoration to bring it back to its original vibrancy.

This unique mural, blending Mexican form with international symbolism, serves as a powerful reminder of the universal struggle against oppression. Its timely reappearance coincides with growing concerns about a potential resurgence of fascism in the world. As Sally Radic, executive director of the Philip Guston Foundation, notes, "Sometimes, the stars align. And, you know, 90 years later, it's basically the same situation.