Grandfather of Mexican Woodblock Print at the MFAH
The work of José Guadalupe Posada is opening at the Museum of Fine Art this Saturday, September 13. Second only maybe to the Frida Kahlo unibrow, the Posada prints of skeletons dancing in sombreros might be the imagery most commonly associated with Mexico worldwide. Posado’s woodblock prints were originally caricatures for a small Mexican paper which was critical of the corrupt Mexican government. Although Posada died penniless and unknown, his woodblocks prints of skeletons caricatures, or calaveras, are the images most commonly associated with the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos. His art is so prevalent it is being printed on everything from Mexican tourist totes to graffiti in Houston, (specifically the skeleton in a top hat and cigar on the corner of Taft and Fairview).
The MFAH exhibit, Calaveras Mexicanas: The Art and Influence of José Guadalupe Posada commemorates the 100th anniversary of the artists death (1852-1913). The collection displays over 50 of Posada’s prints, along with work from other artists directly influenced by Posada, such as Manuel Álvarez Bravo, Trenton Doyle Hancock, Graciela Iturbide, Luis Jiménez, and Earl Staley. The exhibit opens on Saturday, September 13 through December 15. Entrance to the exhibit is free with museum admission.
