Xavier Guerrero, born Javier Guerrero Saucedo on December 3, 1896, in San Pedro de las Colonias, Coahuila, was a key figure in the Mexican muralism movement and an artist deeply engaged with esoteric and Indigenous traditions. Raised in a family of artisans—his father was a bricklayer and decorator—Guerrero’s early exposure to crafts and painting shaped his artistic sensibilities. He began his formal training in Guadalajara before moving to Mexico City in 1919, where he became closely associated with Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and José Clemente Orozco. Guerrero worked on several major mural projects, including those at the San Ildefonso College and the Ministry of Public Education. In addition to his artistic contributions, Guerrero co-founded El Machete, the newspaper of the Mexican Communist Party, and actively participated in political circles advocating for workers’ rights.

Guerrero was also drawn to esoteric traditions, particularly Rosicrucianism. Some sources suggest that he was responsible for introducing Diego Rivera to the Ancient and Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC). This esoteric dimension is evident in Guerrero’s murals, such as Women with Clouds and The Signs of the Zodiac, painted at the National School of Agriculture in Chapingo, which integrate Indigenous and astrological symbolism. Guerrero’s work reflects a synthesis of socialist ideals, Indigenous identities, and esoteric themes, making him a crucial figure in the development of Mexican modern art. He passed away on June 29, 1974, in Mexico City.