MFAH Posada skulls 2Living in California for the last few years has brought to my attention certain holidays that frankly I didn’t really notice while living in NYC. One of the most popular is “Dia de los Muertos” (Day of the Dead). Posters, event notices, etc are often adorned with beautifully rendered and stylized skulls or skeletons to acknowledge the sentiments of the occasion.  The influence of most of the images came from the work of Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada, (1852 – 1913).

The Museum of Fine Arts offers a presentation that “commemorates the 100th anniversary of the death of José Guadalupe Posada (1852–1913), considered the father of Mexican printmaking. Calaveras Mexicanas: The Art and Influence of José Guadalupe Posada showcases a group of approximately 50 of the artist’s prints that explore the continuing resonance of his work.”…” The exhibition also features the work of artists who were inspired by Posada, such as Manuel Álvarez Bravo, Trenton Doyle Hancock, Graciela Iturbide, Luis Jiménez, and Earl Staley.“

 

Calaveras Mexicanas: The Art and Influence of José Guadalupe Posada

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 1001 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX