Mexico is known for its [[Mexican handcrafts and folk art|folk art]] traditions, mostly derived from the indigenous and Spanish crafts. Pre-Columbian art thrived over a wide timescale, from 1800 BC to AD 1500. Certain artistic characteristics were repeated throughout the region, namely a preference for angular, linear patterns, and three-dimensional ceramics. Notable handicrafts include clay pottery from the valley of Oaxaca and the village of Tonala. Colorfully embroidered cotton garments, cotton or wool shawls and outer garments, and colorful baskets and rugs are seen everywhere. Mexico is also known for its [[Mesoamerican architecture|pre-Columbian architecture]], especially for public, ceremonial and urban monumental buildings and structures.

[[Image:Mural ITESM.jpg|thumb|right|172px|A photograph of a 1954 stone carved mural at the [[ITESM]] in [[Monterrey]], Mexico, portraying a battle between the gods [[Quetzalcoatl]] and [[Tezcatlipoca]].]]

Between the Spanish conquest and the early 20th century, Mexican fine arts were largely in imitation of European traditions. After the [[Mexican Revolution]], a new generation of Mexican artists led a vibrant national movement that incorporated political, historic, and folk themes in their work. The painters [[Diego Rivera]], [[José Clemente Orozco]], [[David Alfaro Siqueiros]] became world famous for their grand murals, often displaying clear social messages. [[Rufino Tamayo]] and [[Frida Kahlo]] produced more personal works with abstract elements. Mexican art [[photography]] largely fostered by the work of [[Manuel Álvarez Bravo]]. The city of [[Taxco, Guerrero]], which is one of the oldest mining sites in the Americas, is world-renowned for its [[silver]] work.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.floramex.com/li-history_of_silver_in_taxco.htm|title=The History of Silver in Taxco, Mexico|accessdate=2010-02-18|publisher=FloraMex.com}}</ref>