The artwork titled “The Rich People (detail)” was created by José Clemente Orozco in 1924 in Mexico City, Mexico. It is a fresco, a painting technique in which water-based pigments are applied on freshly laid lime plaster. This piece belongs to the Muralism art movement, which aimed to create artworks that were accessible to the public, often featuring social and political messages. “The Rich People” is a genre painting, depicting scenes of everyday life and societal norms.
In the artwork, Orozco presents a satirical portrayal of affluent individuals. The characters are depicted with exaggerated physical features and adorned in opulent clothing, emphasizing their wealth and possibly criticizing their demeanor and lifestyles. The figures march forward with expressions that could be interpreted as arrogance or disdain, with some holding symbols of their status, such as a walking stick or monocle. The use of earthy tones and bold outlines adds a sense of gravity and critique to the depiction, indicative of Orozco’s distinct style and the broader aims of Muralism to highlight social inequalities and provoke thought among viewers.
