Glossary for

MEXICO IN SEARCH OF ITSELF

CORE Lecture May 16-17

Juan Bruce-Novoa

1. Benito Juárez:  1806-1872.  Leader of the Liberal party of reform that managed to implement a new constitution in 1857.  Elected President in 1861.  Led resistance against the French intervention and the Emperor Maximilian (1863-7). 

http://www.mexonline.com/benitojuarez.htm

2. Reforma:  The liberal movement under Juárez responsible for the Constitution of 1857.  Most remembered for limiting the power of the Catholic Church. 

_________:  The name of the Parisian-Style Boulevard connecting the Castle in Chapultepec Park to the center of Mexico City.

 3. Porfirio Díaz, President of Mexico 1876-80; 1884-1911.  The period is referred to as the Pax Porfiriana; his followers are called "Porfiristas," a word also used in singular as an adjective to modify anything pertaining to the period—synonymous with "Porfirian."

4. Hidalgo, Miguel (1753-1811)  pronounced: ee-dáhl-go.  Known as the father of Mexican Independence.  On September 16, 1810, called for the independence of Mexico.

5. "Sobre las olas" (Over the Waves) Waltz composed by Juventino Rosas (1868-1894) played as students enter before the lecture.

6. Arias Huerta, Josephus.  Painter of the portrait of Agustín Iturbide, the first Emperor of Mexico (1821-24)

7. Rodrigo Gutiérrez  (1849-1909).  Painter of "The Senate of Tlaxcala," 1875—The painting that imitates David's "The Death of Socrates."

8. José Obregón (1832-1902.  Painter of "The Discovery of Pulque," 1869—the painting I compared to David's "The Oath of the Horatii."  

9. Cuauhtémoc:  (b. ?-1525)  Last Aztec Emperor, executed by Cortés. .

10.  Palace of Mining . 1797-1813.  Built by Manuel Tolsa (1756-1816) in Italian Renaissance Style.

 11. Manuel Tolsa (1756-1816). Most famous and significant architect and sculptor of the last years of Spanish colonial rule in Mexico. 

12. EL CABALLITO: 1796-1803.  Manuel Tolsa, Sculptor.  The only monumental sculpture in Mexico remaining from the colonial period, a 25 ton bronze statue of Charles IV, King of Spain.

13. Secretariat of Communications and Public, 1902-1910. Built by Silvio Contri, an Italian architect living in Mexico.  In a modified Italian Renaissance style of the Cinquecento variety. 

14. Central Post Office.  Spanish influenced, Plateresco architecture (I apologize for having given the style reference incorrectly as Churrigueresco, which sounded wrong even as I spoke—my mother will by stirring in her grave over this one.).

15. National Congress Building, 1910.  Mauricio M. Campos, architect.  Greek revival.

16.  Viga Canal (pronounced Veégah).  A water way left over from the lake that once surrounded Mexico City.  It was used into the mid-20th century to ferry goods, mostly produce, into the center of the city to be distributed to markets.  Today it has been paved over and serves as one of the main avenues leading south from the Zócalo, Mexico City's central plaza.

17. Saturnino Herrán (1887-1918). Painted "El Trabajo" (Work) in 1908.  The following year it was purchased by the Secretariat of Public Education.  http://www.laberintos.com.mx/herran/  

18. Francisco Goitia (1882-1960).  Painter

19. José de Jesús Martínez (1888-1916).  Composer of the waltz "Magdalena." Played as students exit from lecture.