Image courtesy of Nuestro Stories.
While it may seem like an unlikely location for such a prolific piece of work, the Prometheus mural painted by Jose Clemente Orozco, can be found in the Frary Dining Hall of Pomona College in Southern California.
Orozco was one of Los Tres Grandes, a group of Mexican muralists who paved a significant path for Mexican artists during the 1920s born of the Revolution. Their work spoke directly to the impact of an oppressive government on the working class while uplifting the everyday heroes found in Mexico.
At a time when fine art was primarily focused on those of European descent, Los Tres Grandes created a space for Mexicans, Chicanos, and Latinos, in general, to see themselves represented in art styles typically reserved for the upper class.
The mural of Prometheus, a 20x28 ft mural depicting the image of the Greek Titan stealing fire from the heavens to bring to humans on Earth, is considered the first modern fresco in the United States.
Depicted in four panels, Orozco’s Prometheus took three months to complete. During that time, Orozco lived on campus, and with only a $2500 stipend for the mural, he was often found dining in the very hall he was painting.
Many of the models Orozco used for the humans depicted in the mural came from the same dining hall, as he used students as inspiration and models.
Through this fresco, Orozco represented the human struggle and challenges faced when one attempts to expand the realm of possibilities one has or knowledge one obtains; that the path to human development can be riddled with obstacles, and many of those obstacles are created by outside forces who fear humans becoming too aware.
The mural, open to the public, can be viewed in the Frary Dining Hall on the Pomona College Campus.
Things to know before you go:
- The Prometheus Mural is open to the public from 930-1030am and 230-430 from Monday-Sunday.
- You do not need reservations, but you need to check in with the staff at the dining hall to let them know you are visiting.
Address: 333 N College Way, Claremont, CA 91711, United States.
Location: California, United States.
