The artwork titled “Man at the Crossroads/Man, Controller of the Universe” was painted by Diego Rivera between 1933 and 1934. It is a fresco, a technique where water-based pigments are applied on freshly laid lime plaster, making the painting an integral part of the wall. The piece exemplifies the Mexican Muralism movement, which sought to make art accessible to the masses and often conveyed social and political messages. This allegorical painting belongs to the genre that uses symbolism to convey a more complex narrative or theme. It is currently located at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City, Mexico.
“Man at the Crossroads/Man, Controller of the Universe” is a vivid and complex fresco. At the center, a worker controls machinery, symbolizing the confluence of human labor and technology. The composition is divided, reflecting dual paths of societal development. To one side, there are scenes of war and destruction, featuring military figures and sophisticated weaponry. This side of the fresco indicates the potential for technology to serve destructive ends. The other side of the work illustrates the possibility of science and industry contributing to societal progress and enlightenment. Notably, the fresco includes multiple figures from different walks of life, representing a wide array of human experiences and ideologies. The overall theme of the fresco is one of choice: the path that humanity takes, whether towards war and destruction or towards peace and progress, is in our hands.