The iconic prints of Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada, as well as contemporary works inspired by his legacy, will be featured this fall in an exhibition at the Arlington Museum of Art.
José Guadalupe Posada: Legendary Printmaker of Mexico will run from October 21, 2023 – January 7, 2024. AMA members will be able to access free tickets for the exhibit starting at 10:00 a.m. on Sept. 18. Tickets go on sale to the general public at 10:00 a.m. on Sept. 22.
The exhibition, which is on loan from the Posada Art Foundation, will include original broadsheets, pamphlets, printing plates, books, game boards, and engravings designed by the legendary printmaker and engraver. Posada’s works show his influence on generations of artists including Frida Kahlo, who decorated her New York apartment with his images; the Taller Grafica Popular artist co-founder, Leopoldo Mendez; award-winning Chicana artist Ester Hernandez; selected social movement imagery; and even posters from rock and roll’s Grateful Dead.
An artist known particularly for his satirical calaveras or skeletons, José Guadalupe Posada (1852–1913) was employed as a printmaker in Mexico City by visionary publisher Antonio Vanegas Arroyo. Vanegas Arroyo and Posada satirized many poignant issues of the day, informing and critiquing the transitioning culture of the times. It is believed by some that Posada created over 20,000 images in his lifetime.
Three years after the start of the Mexican Revolution, Posada died in poverty and obscurity. In the 1920s, however, his work was rediscovered and today, art historians recognize his significant legacy. To many, Posada is the founding father of the satirical cartoon genre in Mexico. Posada’s calaveras have also become closely associated with the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and have been ingrained in commercial and popular culture.
“Posada did not invent the calaveras but he certainly popularized them,” said Jim Nikas, Executive Director of the Posada Art Foundation. “They are everywhere today, on bottles of hot sauce, tequila, tattoos, and even candies. Who else could have given so much life to the images of death?”
“From the dawn of time, artists have depicted their personal experiences through cultural symbolism, satire, political commentary, and humor,” said Chris Hightower, President and CEO of the Arlington Museum of Art. “José Guadalupe Posada was masterful at layering his art with meaning. Couple that with his flawless craftsmanship, and his work remains completely relevant today. We’re honored to be partnering with the Posada Art Foundation to bring this exhibition to Texas.”
José Guadalupe Posada: Legendary Printmaker of Mexico will be the last exhibition held at the Arlington Museum of Art’s current location.
By March 2024 and in partnership with the City of Arlington, the Arlington Museum of Art will move to the Arlington Entertainment District into a location with eight times the exhibition space of its current building. This new, world-class arts destination will remain true to its roots while multiplying its creative capabilities, presenting special exhibitions featuring traditional, immersive and interactive art that rotate and change every 3-4 months. Amenities will include a café, dedicated community gallery, and greatly expanded education center for children and adults.
The timing of José Guadalupe Posada: Legendary Printmaker of Mexico, which opens about a week before the annual Día de los Muertos commemorations, is not coincidental, said Hightower.
“Día de los Muertos is an occasion for celebrating those who came before us,” said Hightower. “What better time for the AMA to honor the museum’s founders—and all of those who worked to build on their foundation—than in conjunction with an exhibition of Posada’s work, an artist whose legacy is not only tied with a time of remembering but with doing good in the world through art?”
