Lee Quede: Massacres in 1948 and the Influence of Diego Rivera

Abstract The article presents a comprehensive and novel look at the Korean painter Lee Quede (1913–1965), with particular emphasis on his People series (1948). Lee’s work draws direct influence from Kitagawa Tamiji, Diego Rivera, Mexican Muralism, and Social Realism. Most importantly, it decries the atrocities committed against the politically disenfranchised in postliberation Korea and serves as a visual representation of historical truth. This article challenges established categories in the field of art history, addressing historically neglected topics and looking at how Lee addresses the lives of Korean civilians and the political conditions of 1948.