DIEGO RIVERA

A fictionalized biography of the flamboyant Mexican muralist (1886-1957) whose ideologically oriented works brought him both artistic recognition and political reprobation in the 1920's and 30's. Neimark's invented scenes are relatively weak, presenting Rivera and his family and associates as caricatures who spout stilted dialogue, but much more successful are the descriptive passages detailing the scale and subject matter of Rivera's paintings, his unusual techniques, and the sensation caused by his monumental works both in Mexico and in the US. The 14 b&w illustrations include reproductions of Rivera's work, two paintings by Frida Kahlo, and photos of the artist at work; four paintings appear in a color insert. Further reading (adult); list of murals in the US; index. (Biography. 10-14)