Description
The work "Panel 7. Output of Quetzalcóatl - The epic of the American civilization" by José Clemente Orozco, created in 1934, is a robust and multifaceted visual testimony of the thought and culture of a convulsive era in the history of Mexico and the continent American. This painting, which is part of a wall series that Orozco made in the Library of the University of Guadalajara, stands out for its deep symbolism and its innovative pictorial technique, characteristics that consolidate it as one of the great masters of Mexican muralism.
In the panel there is a scene in which the Mexica -Atzalcoatl Mexican deity, emblematic figure of the Mesoamerican culture, is shown in a context of great drama. The representation of Quetzalcoatl, often associated with knowledge, life and civilization, is perceived in a moment of departure, as if they were abandoning his people in a journey towards the unknown. The composition is dynamic, guided by the lines that make up the figure of the God and that lead the viewer's gaze towards the bottom of the image.
The colors used are revealing of the style of Orozco, who preferred a palette to emphasize contrasts and deep terrible tones. The ocher and red predominate, evoking both the essence of the people that represents and the emotional complexity of the narrative that portrays. This chromatic choice is not isolated, but is inscribed within a tradition that seeks not only to explore the history and mythology of Mexico, but also to reflect on human suffering and the struggle for cultural identity, recurring issues in the work of Orozco .
The figure of Quetzalcoatl is central, but Orozco spares not to compose an environment that speaks of civilization. Around it, representations of human beings that seem to pay tribute, in an act of worship or hopelessness can be observed, as if they recognized that the arrival or departure of the God implies a transcendental change. Orozco achieves with this a dialogue between the divine and the human, highlighting the interdependence of both in the construction of cultural identity.
The artistic style of Orozco is a testamentary of the influence of expressionism and modernism, breaking with the strict rules of academicism. Compared to his contemporaries, such as Diego Rivera, Orozco addresses the human figure and iconographic narration from a more gloomy and poetic perspective, often loaded with a symbolism that refers to the social and political struggles of Mexico of his time.
The "Panel 7" is ultimately a complex network of elements that are intertwined to tell a history of loss and redemption. Quetzalcoatl's departure can be interpreted as a metaphor for the constant search for civilizations to find their way in the world, facing internal and external challenges. In this way, Orozco not only portrays a mythological event, but also invites the viewer to reflect on the search for their own cultural identity, at a time when Mexico rediscovered its roots. The work is erected as a lighthouse of social struggle and a powerful reminder of the voices of those who have been forgotten in history, showing that the epic of American civilization is also a resistance epic.
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