Siqueiros paints a vivid study of the Mexican Revolutionary Emiliano Zapata Salazar in preparation for a large revolutionary mural, Del Porfirismo a la Revolcion. Zapata was a leading figure in the Mexican Revolution (1910–1920). He was assassinated in 1919. Siqueiros memoralizes Zapata strikingly in this original work using his bold, socialist realist style. The powerful use of gold, pink, red and purple symbolize the royal stature of the legendary revolutionary. Zapata's strong features and sword are used to evoke the stature of this historic figure. The pyroxilin paint allows for heavy layers, almost sculpting the surface of the canvas.