Skip to main content

José Guadalupe Posada prints

 Collection
Identifier: 0517

  • Staff Only
  • Select an item to initiate a request

Scope and Content

The collection contains a total of 506 items printed by Antonio Vanegas Arroyo's press. Among the items are half-sheet and full-sheet broadsides, chapbooks, and games. A majority of the prints were by José Guadalupe Posada, and possibly a few by Manuel Alfonso Manilla, his precursor and mentor. Themes in the collection include: Mexican popular culture, Calaveras, local disasters, supernatural acts, crimes, suicides, moral lessons, social critique, political caricatures, corridos, religious miracles, the Virgen de Guadalupe, and images of daily life and customs in Mexico. The collection also includes two posters about Posada and his work: a signed linocut by Leopoldo Méndez titled Homenaje a José Guadalupe Posada and a poster promoting a 1943 exhibition of José Guadalupe Posada's work published by Talleres Gráficos de México.

Dates

  • Creation: circa 1890-1915
  • Creation: 1943
  • Creation: 1953

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Advance notice required for access.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Biographical / Historical

José Guadalupe Posada (1852-1913), born in Aguascalientes, Mexico, spent his most creative period in Mexico City, from 1888, as a prolific engraver, printmaker, and publisher during the final years of the Porfirio Díaz dictatorship and the beginning of the Mexican Revolution. In 1890, Posada began work for noted printer Antonio Vanegas Arroyo. Posada's works were widely distributed to both the illiterate and reading public, and, since the 1920s, made lasting impressions on Diego Rivera, Leopoldo Mendez, and many other prominent artists. Today Posada is best-known for his satirical and humorous illustrations of Mexican society. Among his most recognized works are his broadsides known as Calaveras, depicting lively images of skulls and skeletons, with accompanying text often in verse. Following Posada's death, the Calaveras became closely associated with Mexico's Dia de Muertos celebration (Day of the Dead). Posada's early work with printer Vanegas Arroyo was influenced by another graphic artist, Manuel Alfonso Manilla. The similarity between their work during Posada's early years in Mexico City led to the attribution to Posada of almost all of the Vanegas Arroyo broadsides, including those created by Manilla. In recent years researchers have begun to identify works by Manilla which were formerly attributed to Posada.

Extent

7.79 Linear Feet (7 boxes and 2 oversize folders) : 506 prints

Language of Materials

Spanish; Castilian

Abstract

The collection contains a total of 506 items printed by Antonio Vanegas Arroyo's press. Among the items are half-sheet and full-sheet broadsides, chapbooks, and games. A majority of the prints were by José Guadalupe Posada, and possibly a few by Manuel Alfonso Manilla, his precursor and mentor. Themes in the collection include: Mexican popular culture, Calaveras, local disasters, supernatural acts, crimes, suicides, moral lessons, social critique, political caricatures, corridos, religious miracles, the Virgen de Guadalupe, and images of daily life and customs in Mexico.

Arrangement

The collection is organized in seven boxes and two items in a map case: Box 1. Chapbooks; 2. and 3. Half sheet broadsides; 4. Las Calaveras: Full sheet broadsides; 5. Games and other Full sheet broadsides; 6. Religious themes: Full sheet and half sheet broadsides; 7. Ringed folders of photocopies of prints in the collection. Separately in map case: Oversize folder 1. Homenaje a Jose Guadalupe Posada, signed linocut, by Leopoldo Mendez; Oversize folder 2. Poster promoting a 1943 exhibition of José Guadalupe Posada's work published by Talleres Gráficos de México.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased from Libros Latinos, February 25, 2000.

Title
Finding aid for the José Guadalupe Posada prints
Status
Completed
Author
Barbara Robinson and Bo Doub
Date
2021 June
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the USC Libraries Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles California 90089-0189 United States