“The Learned”, a fresco created in 1928 by the renowned artist Diego Rivera, resides in the Secretariat of Public Education Main Headquarters in Mexico City, Mexico. As an allegorical painting falling under the Muralism movement, it stands as a testament to Rivera’s commitment to blending social message with public art.
The artwork features a group of diverse individuals symbolizing various facets of Mexican society during the early 20th century. At the center, a bearded elderly figure, adorned with a graduation cap, is surrounded by a group of men and women in traditional attire, who are depicted deep in intellectual discourse. Each figure carries an emblem of enlightenment—a book, a scroll, a musical instrument—emphasizing the theme of wisdom and knowledge. The background is warm and rich, blending earthy tones that harmonize with the vibrant expressions and clothing of the figures. Above, a banner inscribed with text in Spanish further accentuates the learned atmosphere, aptly framed by the allegorical style Rivera is celebrated for.