Howdy sussna-ga,
The Public Broadcasting System (PBS) web site has a great article on exactly
this subject. It is about the "American Experience" and the Rockefellers,
and titled "People & Events: Diego Rivera, 1886-1957."
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/rockefellers/peopleevents/p_rivera.html
"Fascinated by Rivera?s other passion, his art, Abby and Nelson Rockefeller
had persuaded the management of Rockefeller Center to hire him to paint the
interior wall ..."
"Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse had been their first choices for the mural
..."
"John D. Rockefeller Jr. agreed to giving the commission to Rivera, although
reluctantly: 'As for Rivera, although I do not personally care for much of
his work, he seems to have become very popular just now and will probably be
a good drawing card,' he commented."
So, as well as being a patron of the arts and having a good eye for fine art,
Rockefeller was also a good businessman, and it probably didn't hurt that it
pleased his wife, too.
According to the article, it was more the decision of the Rockefeller Center
management team, than Rockefeller himself, to fire Rivera from the job. Even
though his wife was "mortified" by the destruction of the mural, Nelson was
a bit less taken aback. More from the article.
"John D. Rockefeller Jr. was much more blunt: 'The picture was obscene and,
in the judgment of Rockefeller Center, an offense to good taste.' ..."
You should read the full article as it has some great background information.
If you need any clarification, feel free to ask.
Search Strategy:
Google search on: Rockefeller "Diego Rivera" choosing
://www.google.com/search?q=Rockefeller+%22Diego+Rivera%22+choosing
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