José Clemente Orozco

José Clemente Orozco, born in Ciudad Guzmán, Jalisco, made quite the name for himself as one of Mexico's most prominent muralists. His work, often grim and filled with social commentary, depicted revolution, human suffering, and progress, proving that even art can have a good, old-fashioned axe to grind.

While his brushstrokes were certainly bold and his themes universal, Orozco's lineage appears to be firmly rooted in Mexican Catholic tradition. There's nary a whisper of a menorah or a synagogue visit in his biography, suggesting that his spiritual and cultural palette was decidedly gentile.

Nevertheless, his contributions to 20th-century art were monumental, leaving an indelible mark on both his homeland and beyond. He helped define a national artistic identity, making him quite kvel-worthy for anyone who appreciates a good, monumental splash of paint, regardless of whether it's kosher.