Inside Sandzen Fall 08

INSIDE SANDZÉN
This feature, highlighting a discovery relating to Sandzén from the archives, will be periodically updated on the website and is planned for each issue of Gallery Notes.

In the Fall 2008 issue of Gallery Notes, a second selection of letters is printed concerning the travels to Mexico of Birger Sandzén and his daughter Margaret. The following excerpt is from Margaret's letter to her mother, Alfrida Sandzén, written July 21, 1935. Several other letters and information about artist Diego Rivera will be found in the complete issue of Gallery Notes, distributed to all Gallery members.

. . . I just have such a hard time keeping you in touch with everything. This is the most unbelievably fascinating country. I've been in a trance ever since we've been here. I'll try to continue from where I left off last time.

I told you about the marvelous Rivera murals in the National Palace. We saw his murals in the Ministry of Education --again, all I can say is that they are masterly, tremendous--wonderful. Sometimes one wishes he wouldn't preach so much-- but then that's one of his principal motives in painting his murals.

The same morning we went to see three stories of Orozco's murals in the National Preparatory School. These are the most extensive murals of Orozco's to date. They are marvelous! But he certainly stops at nothing.

In the same building are the first murals Rivera ever did--very beautiful in treatment and subject matter. . . . Then--the museum. We spent all our time looking at the prehistoric and ancient sculptures, implements, pottery and jewelry. What masters those people were! Their design just doesn't miss. We just ran through the fol-de-rol brought in by foreigners when there's so much superior art of the natives to be admired!. . .

We visited the church of El Carmen and the convent--17th century--a marvelous place. One can climb up on the roof and see the three tile domes of the church--ah! it's lovely! The church is in a run-down condition, but I believe this only adds to its charm and romance.

We were exhausted after that morning and spent the afternoon resting. In the evening we went to a Chinese restaurant.

Oh, Nick and Sue [former student Sue Jean Hill and her husband Nicholas Covacevich hosted the Sandzén's at their home in Mexico City] took us to the theater one night to hear Mexico's most famous comedian, Roberto [illegible]. I couldn't understand a word, but his actions were priceless and worth the price of admission. The dances were charming--from two provinces of Mexico--one in the North, the other in the South. Just the kind of melodious, gay music Daddy likes so much. . . . After that we went to a German restaurant--most enjoyable.

Tomorrow we're planning on going to the pyramids of Teotihuacan--a day's trip. Trouble is that there's just too much to see--we can only hit a few of the high and near spots. Gee but I'd love to spend a year here!. . .