Letters | Did nude painting of Mexican hero Zapata push artistic freedom too far?

This year marks the centennial of the assassination of Mexican revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata at the age of 39. General Zapata fought for workers and land rights for ordinary people. He is considered a hero by some and, generally, even his foes admired his courage. The man’s memory should not be defiled a century after his murder.

Although artists have freedom of expression, works of art should also be tasteful. The portrait in question angered one of Zapata’s grandsons, and rightfully so.

The controversy arose because the painting depicted Zapata nude, save for a pink sombrero and stilettos, and astride a sexually aroused horse, implying that he was inclined either towards homosexuality or bestiality.

While it is only a painting, it is disrespectful to depict Zapata as weak, perverted or effeminate, and the explicit anatomy of the horse was calculated to generate controversy.