Former convent of San Agustín (“Gertrudis Bocanegra” Public Library)

Mural by Juan O’Gorman: Augustinian History and Syncretism

This imposing building, located opposite Plaza Gertrudis Bocanegra (Plaza Chica), was originally the Convent of the Order of Saint Augustine, founded in 1576 under the bishopric of Fray Juan Medina Rincón. Its importance was such that it became the center of a network of up to seven chapels or missions dependent on its authority in the lake region.

History and Architectural Transformation Although the original convent dates from the 16th Century, the current building was constructed by Prior Fray Francisco de Villafuerte in 1630. Its greatest transformation occurred with the Reform Laws in the 19th Century, when it was expropriated and designated for civic uses.

📍 The Color Route: The Union with the Theatre The convent church is the only building that remains intact and now houses the library. Its most notable feature is its connection to the Emperor Theatre, the neighboring building: for the construction of the theater, the following were used and preserved three large arches from the original cloister of San Agustín to form the facade of the cinema-theater, creating a unique architectural link in the city.

The O’Gorman Mural: The Great Treasure of Michoacán After being converted into the Public Library in honor of the local heroine, the main hall of the old temple became the canvas for one of the most emblematic murals in the country.

• Artist: Juan O’Gorman, architect and painter.

• Date: Completed on February 10, 1942 (painted between 1941 and 1942).

• Narrative: The mural is a visual and colorful epic that tells the story of the state of Michoacán in its entirety, from the pre-Hispanic era and the Purépecha legacy (including the torture of Tangáxoan II) to the Mexican Revolution, with a clear focus on social justice and the denunciation of oppression.

✨ Expert Fact: The O’Gorman Anecdote The location of this mural is the result of chance. O’Gorman had won a contract to paint in the United States, but it was canceled due to his well-known socialist tendencies. Instead of filing a claim, the artist received compensation which he used to paint the mural wherever he wished, choosing the rich history of Michoacán as his theme.