José Guadalupe Posada - Legendary Printmaker of Mexico

One of Mexico’s most celebrated artists was a printmaker, a common man who died a pauper, his body interred in an unmarked grave. Yet, José Guadalupe Posada reached his countrymen through perhaps more than 20,000 images documenting nearly every aspect of life. As Mexico modernized in the late 19th century, its capital bustled with published materials to satisfy the growing metropolis and its budding middle class, intelligentsias, and thousands of new residents relocating from the countryside. Employed by the visionary publisher Antonio Vanegas Arroyo, Posada created expressive images reflecting and informing the transitioning culture of Mexico City’s residents, many of whom were illiterate. Posada’s satirical skeletons, or calaveras, have become the most iconic and celebrated of his work.

Decades after his death, art historians and artists continue to recognize Posada’s cultural contributions, reflecting not only the spirit of Mexican identity in his time and ours but imparting a universal perspective extending well beyond the borders of his native Mexico. Underwriting Posada’s legacy was his main editor Antonio Vanegas Arroyo, whose hand directed and crafted the publications displaying and catering to the popular culture of Mexico.
José Guadalupe Posada’s images captured all aspects of daily life in Mexico City from 1889–1913, directly inspiring artists like Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and José Clemente Orozco. Now, over one hundred years later, his posters continue to impact countless artists creating today’s social movement imagery.

José Guadalupe Posada: Legendary Printmaker of Mexico was organized by the Catalina Island Museum in association with the Posada Art Foundation, the largest collection of Posada’s artworks privately held in the United States.

Please join us for a reception to celebrate the work of José Guadalupe Posada, in the exhibition, ‘José Guadalupe Posada – Legendary Printmaker of Mexico’ on June 20 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm.

Between June 17th and August 17th, Cleve Carney Art Gallery gallery will operate on a summer schedule:

Tuesday – Thursday 11am – 3pm
Saturday 11am – 3pm
Lakeside Pavilion Events – Open one hour prior to events

Following the José Guadalupe Posada exhibition, Cleve Carney Art Gallery will be closed for construction and will re-open in the summer of 2020 with the exhibition, ‘Frida Kahlo 2020’.