Description
This collection contains eighteen broadsides and two booklets illustrated by Jose Guadalupe Posada, as well as a flyer illustrated
in a similar style to that of Posada. All of the broadsides- published by the press of Antonio Vanegas Arroyo, are satirical
in nature and contain images of calaveras, or skulls.
Background
Jose Guadalupe Posada (1851–1913) was a Mexican lithographer and printmaker best known for his illustrations of calaveras
(skulls), which would later become most associated with the Mexican holiday, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Born in
Aguascalientes, Posada began drawing from an early age, and was taught lithography and engraving through an apprenticeship
as a teenager. From there, Posada created lithographs for mostly political newspapers until a flood in Leon, Guanajuato in
1882 – which killed 250 people and left more than 1,400 people missing; led Posada to produce lithographs that followed themes
regarding death and the social implications following the aftermath of the flood. Posada kept using these aforementioned
themes throughout his illustrations while also adding elements of satire. One of his most famous satirical illustrations was
"La Calavera Catrina", an image of an elegantly dressed female skeleton which has become a popular Dia de los Muertos illustration.
Restrictions
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives
and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical
materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Availability
There are no access restrictions on this collection.