Originally constructed as the Convent of Our Lady of the Incarnation in 1639, it was later adapted to house the SEP, the Secretary of Public Education.
The building is renowned for its extensive historic mural cycles, mostly painted by Diego Rivera between 1923 and 1928 as well as works by other artist like Roberto Montenegro.
Emiliano Zapato - Diego Rivera
1928
The fresco depicts the Mexican revolutionary leader, Zapato surrounded by an orange, halo-like mandorla, flanked by two mourning figures.
1928
Part of Rivera's extensive mural cycle contrasting the extravagant lifestyle of the wealthy upper class with the struggles and labor of the working class.
Massive corridors showcasing the numerous murals along with the historic paneled double wooden doors with the transom windows above, set into stone archways.
The mural depicts the unity and solidarity between the urban industrial worker in the blue overalls and the rural campesino/farmer shaking hands. Framed by a central cosmic, sun-like figure and surrounded by community members.
This room is the historic office of Jose Vasconcelos, the first secretary of Public Education in Mexico. The mural is titled La Poesia (poetry), painted around 1922 by artist Roberto Montenegro. It reflects a fusion of philosophy and spiritual themes. The space is furnished with a massive, polished hardwood boardroom table surrounded by high back chairs beneath an elegant crystal chandelier.
The frieze along the top of the wood paneling features a dark painted border honoring great figures of the world of culture, such at Beethoven.
Opposite the boardroom table, the room features handsome built-in wood cabinetry, another conference table and an ornate desk. Note the intricate parquet flooring. The mural features astrological and Asian motifs.
The space and grounds are meticulously maintained!
Encuentro de dos Culturas
Raul Anguiano - 1993
Anguiano was prominent figure of Mexican modern art and muralism.
The mural portrays the complex encounter between the indigenous Mesoamerican cultures and the Spanish colonization, symbolizing the birth of the Mestizo identity, spiritual conversion and the blending of the two worlds.
The Image of Man, a high-temperatured glazed ceramic mural by Luis Nishizawa, 1991. He created this work to commemorate the upcoming 500th anniversary of the arrival of the Europeans in the Americas (observed in 1992). It blends a mix of modern day science with pre-Hispanic mythology and indigenous cosmic views. The central blue face was inspired by the Maya mask of Pakal within a atomic orbital structure.
The interior of the Biblioteca Iberoamericana Octavio Paz.
The vaulted mosaic-style mural, The Union of Latin American People was painted by Roberto Montenegro, 1924. It features a map of Latin America with a central allegorical figure and radiant sun motifs.
Patricios y Patricidas
David Alfaro Siqueiros
He was one of the foremost leaders of the Mexican Muralist Movement alongside Diego Rivera and Jose Clements Orozco. The mural dramatizes the historic conflicts between the national patriots and those who compromised the nation's sovereignty. His works are known for his dynamic perspective and vivid red and gold tones.
There are over 230 plus murals by Rivera! It is a magnificent venue and such a pleasant space to spend an hour or two. And it is only a few blocks from the zocalo.
SEP
República de Argentina 28
Centro Histórico - Mexico City
