With their admirable and extraordinary talent to create beauty, peculiar to themselves, the art of the Mexican people is the most wholesome spiritual expression in the world and this tradition is our greatest treasure. —From Siqueiros’ Declaration of Social, Political and Aesthetic Principles, 1922

We repudiate so-called easel painting and every kind of art favored by the ultra-intellectual circles, because it is aristocratic and we praise monumental art in all its forms, because it is public property . . . . Art must no longer be the expression of individual satisfaction, but should aim to become a fighting, educative art for all. —From Siqueiros’ Declaration of Social, Political and Aesthetic Principles, 1922

Portrait painting is also a good art form, though some would say it is not. . . . We must . . . advise the new Mexican painters to paint portraits as well. —From Siqueiros’ explanatory leaflet for mural Plastic Exercise, 1933

The painters and sculptors of today cannot remain indifferent in the struggle to free humanity and art from oppression. —From Siqueiros’ explanatory leaflet for mural Plastic Exercise, 1933

Mexico was the only modern country to . . . reconstruct the practice of mural painting in all its essential . . . fundamentals. This has had international repercussions. —Siqueiros’ message sent from prison to the delegates of the General Assembly of the International Association of Art Critics, held in Mexico, 1962