Rejected Religion Podcast 40 Free Content -Dr. Mariano Villalba: Mexican Muralism, Esotericism, and Gender

*This is the Free Content version of my interview with Dr. Mariano Villalba. To access the full interview, please consider becoming a paid Patreon member; alternatively, this episode is also available for a one-time purchase here on Patreon (under 'Shop' tab). www.patreon.com/RejectedReligion

My guest this month is Dr. Mariano Villalba. Mariano is a postdoctoral fellow in Spirituality and the Arts, in collaboration with the Giorgio Cini Foundation in Venice, the History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents at the University of Amsterdam, and the Warburg Institute at the University of London.

Mariano specializes in esotericism in Colonial America, contemporary Latin America, and early modern Spain. He completed a joint PhD in religious studies at the University of Lausanne and the French l’École Pratique des Hautes Études- Paris Sciences & Letters University.

Mariano serves as the editor in chief of Melancolia, an annual journal dedicated to the study of esotericism in Latin America. His methodology combines a global history perspective on Colonial America with a decolonial approach, intersecting themes of race, gender, and imperialism to analyze modern occultism in Latin America. His new research project will focus on “Occult Movements and Mexican Mural Art: What Role Did Occult Movements Play in Mexican Mural Art During the Interwar Period?”

In this episode, Mariano and I explore his groundbreaking research into the overlooked women of the Mexican muralist movement. Building on his earlier work, Mariano dives into the rich, complex history of Mexican muralism—an artistic revolution born from post-revolutionary ideals and dominated by the towering figures of “Los Tres Grandes.”

But beyond the celebrated murals of Rivera, Orozco, and Siqueiros lies a hidden narrative: the women artists whose contributions were marginalized or erased. Mariano introduces us to several of these remarkable figures, focusing in particular on María Izquierdo and Sofía Bassi. He shares insights into their lives, artistic themes, and the esoteric influences that shaped their work, while unpacking why their legacies remain in the shadows compared to contemporaries like Frida Kahlo and Leonora Carrington.

This episode is a compelling journey into art history, gender politics, and the mystical dimensions of creativity. Dr. Villalba also discusses the goals of his current project and how listeners can engage with the research on his online platform.

An editing correction: Just a note to correct a mistake made during the interview: In the discussion about Frieda Kahlo’s parents (a German father and a Mexican mother), Mariano mistakenly states that (María) Izquierdo was the daughter instead of Kahlo. There was a slight mix-up here as Mariano was comparing Frieda Kahlo and María Izquierdo. So please be aware of this when listening.

PROGRAM NOTES

Mariano Villalba | Center for the Study of World Religions

Occult Mexican art | Explore the Occult in Mexican visual art

About Gender & Visual Arts | Discover Women's Insight — Occult Mexican art

About Esotericism & Muralism | Explore Mexican Art — Occult Mexican art

Muralism and Mexican Identity: Rediscovering the Esoteric Visions of Post-Revolution Female Artists: Q&A with Mariano Villalba | Center for the Study of World Religions

Occult Movements and Mexican Mural Art | Center for the Study of World Religions

The Visionary World of Sofía Bassi | Center for the Study of World Religions

Fundación | Sofia Bassi

Esotericism, Gender, and the Legacy of a Mexican Artist | Center for the Study of World Religions

Mariano Villalba - Harvard University

Music and Editing: Daniel P. Shea

End Production: Stephanie Shea