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Jose Guadalupe Posada

Jose Guadalupe Posada - Calavera Guerra Mundial - Skeleton World War

Calavera: Guerra Mundial (Skeleton: World War)

Jose Guadalupe Posada's original engraving, Calavera: Guerra Mundial (Skeleton: World War) was created by the Mexican satirical artist in 1911. The authors of "Posada's Popular Mexican Prints" state that this engraving was originally entitled La calavera revuelta ('The Disorderly Calavera'), and published as a Broadside. Calavera 'Guerra Mundial represents a superb, original example of the famous 'calavera' art of Jose Guadalupe Posada.

This impression hails from the first posthumous edition published from the original Posada plate for the folio entitled, Mongrafia: Las Obras de Jose Guadalupe Posada, Grabador Mexicano published in 1930. Calavera: Guerra Mundial (Skeleton: World War) is illustrated on plate 11 of Posada's Popular Mexican Prints.

 
Title: Calavera: Guerra Mundial (Skeleton: World War)
Artist: Posada, Jose Guadalupe (Aguascalientes, 1852 - Mexico City, 1913)
Date: 1911 (Monografia Edition: 1930)
Medium: Original Engraving on Type Metal
Publisher: Frances Toor, Blas Vanegas Arroyo and Pablo O'Higgins
Note:

“The Spanish word ‘calavera’ means ‘skull’, and by extension ‘skeleton’. Posada used his ‘calavera’ prints as social reportage, as manifestos and as political and social satire; in this he has been followed by numerous later graphic artists in Mexico ... This kind of print taps sources that are typically Mexican, for both the Indian heritage (skulls and death-goddesses are common in pre-Columbian art) and the Spanish heritage (the death-orientation of the monastic orders, and the dance-of-death and ‘memento mori traditions) have blended in the average Mexican’s stoic, but far from humorless, view of death.” *

  The father of Mexican printmaking, Jose Guadalupe Posada was born in Aguascalientes in 1852. As a child he assisted an elder brother who was a school teacher and an uncle who was a potter. In 1868, he was apprenticed to a local printmaker and publisher, Jose Trinidad Pedroza, who specialized in lithography. mm Posada's first prints are in this medium.
  In 1872 Pedroza opened a second shop in Leon de los Aldamas in the state of Guanajuato and left Posada in charge of it. Posada bought the shop in 1876 and made a comfortable living in this city with both commercial and religious art assignments. He also taught lithography techniques at a local secondary school.
  Jose Guadalupe Posada moved to Mexico City in 1888 and within two years had become the chief artist for Antonio Vanegas Arroyo, a prominent publisher of illustrated broadsides, gazettes, song books, chapbooks and other popular forms of illustrated literature. At this point Posada completely abandoned lithography in favor of engraving on type metal, a process that produces results in relief similar to that of a woodcut. He used this method for his many engravings until about 1900, when he turned to etching upon zinc plates. All of Posada’s now famous prints were produced for his publisher, Arroyo, and he continued to work closely with him until his death in 1913.
  Posada’s prints cover an amazing range of imagery. National events, disasters, miracles, abnormalities, executions, illustrations to popular songs (corridos), broadsides and street gazettes (gaceta callejera) cover a large portion of his artistic oeuvre. As well, his notorious ‘Calaveras’ have permanently been placed at the summit of Mexican artistic expression. By means of the Calaveras (Spanish for skulls or skeletons), Posada mimed practically every human folly. In a very strong way, Posada is to Mexico what Daumier, Goya and Hogarth are to their countries. Masters of the succeeding generation, such as Rivera and Orozco, were deeply influenced and indebted to Posada’s art.
  Calavera: Guerra Mundial (Skeleton: World War): The authors of "Posada's Popular Mexican Prints" state that this engraving was originally entitled La calavera revuelta ('The Disorderly Calavera'), and published as a Broadside.
  A Note on Impressions of Posada's Prints: All original Posada engravings are scarce. First edition impressions of Posada’s prints are next to impossible to acquire. As they were printed upon the cheapest wove papers used for popular broadsides, songsheets and street gazettes the vast majority simply disintegrated. The few remaining examples accompanied by text are now in the collections of mostly public or national museums. The first posthumous edition of original Posada engravings was published in Mexico City in 1930 by Frances Toor, Blas Vanegas Arroyo and Pablo O’Higgins, entitled, Mongrafia: Las Obras de Jose Guadalupe Posada, Grabador Mexicano. The original Posada plates were collected and printed (sometimes two to a page and always using both sides of the paper) by none other than Diego Rivera and Pablo O’Higgins. This original engraving hails from this 1930 set. Even prints from this set are listed as very difficult to acquire.
 

A word should also be said about the titles printed with Posada’s posthumous impressions. As most dealt with topical events of the day, the publishers of the Monografia had to rely upon the memories of others to ascribe titles to the songs or events portrayed, or to their own imaginations. Variations were not uncommon and when a discrepancy occurs with the scholarly research detailed in the text above I have noted it. **

Source: Monografia: Las Obras de Jose Guadalupe Posada, Mexico City, 1930
Reference: * Roberto Berdecio and Stanley Appelbaum, eds., Posada’s Popular Mexican Prints, New York, Dover Publications, 1972. (The introductory quotation will be found on p. xviii.)
Note

** Calavera ‘Guerra Mundial (‘Skeleton: World War’) is illustrated on plate 11. The authors state that it was originally entitled La calavera revuelta (‘The Disorderly Calavera’), and published as a Broadside. Whatever the true title, this etching is simply a masterful commentary upon the carnage of war.

Size: 5 3/4 X 10 1/2 (Sizes in inches are approximate, height preceding width of plate-mark or image.)
  Matted with 100% Archival Materials
Condition: Printed upon wove paper and with full margins as published in Mexico City in 1930 for the Monografia. Signed by Posada in the plate to the lower right and titled by the publisher along the lower edge of the margin. As usual with impressions from this publication the paper is slightly brittle and age toned in the outer margins, else the actual etching is finely printed and in good condition throughout. Calavera ‘Guerra Mundial represents a superb, original example of the famous ‘calavera’ art of Jose Guadalupe Posada.
Price: Sold - The price is no longer available.
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Original engraving by the Mexican artist, Jose Guadalupe Posada

Calavera Guerra Mundial Skeleton World War Original Engraving by the Mexican artist Jose Guadalupe Posada
# 1.- Calavera: Guerra Mundial (Skeleton: World War)

View other original engravings by Jose Guadalupe Posada

Jose Guadalupe Posada (Aguascalientes, 1852 - Mexico City, 1913)
# Title & Artist English Title Date Medium -
01.- Calavera: Guerra Mundial by Jose Guadalupe Posada Skeleton: World War 1911 (Monografia Edition: 1930) Original Engraving on Type Metal Sold
02.- Calavera Catrina by Jose Guadalupe Posada Dapper Skeleton c. 1910 (Monografia Edition: 1930) Original Etching on Zinc Sold
03.- Calavera de un Revolucionario Zapatista by Jose Guadalupe Posada Skeleton of a Revolutionary Follower of Zapata c. 1910 - 1912 (Monografia Edition Original Etching on Zinc Sold
04.- Calavera Revolucionaria by Jose Guadalupe Posada Revolutionary Skeleton c. 1910 (Monografia Edition: 1930) Original Etching on Zinc Sold
05.- Calaveras "Patinando" by Jose Guadalupe Posada Streetcleaner Skeletons c. 1910 - 1912 (Monografia Edition: 1930) Original Etching on Zinc Sold
06.- Cancion: La Locomotora by Jose Guadalupe Posada Song:The Locamotive c. 1895 (Arsacio Vanegas Arroyo Edition: 1943) Original Engraving on Type Metal Sold
07.- Chispeante y divertida calavera de Dona Tomasa y Simon el aguador by Jose Guadalupe Posada Witty and Amusing Skeleton of Dona Tomasa and Simon, the Water Carrier c. 1910 (Monografia Edition: 1930) Original Etching on Zinc Sold
08.- Corrido: Dona Simona by Jose Guadalupe Posada Ballad: Madam Simona c. 1895 (Arsacio Vanegas Arroyo Edition: 1943) Original Engraving on Type Metal Sold
09.- Corrido: El Fin del Mundo 'No. One' by Jose Guadalupe Posada Ballad: The End of the World c. 1895 - 1900 (Monografia Edition: 1930) Original Engraving on Type Metal Sold
10.- Corrido: El Fin del Mundo 'No. Two' by Jose Guadalupe Posada Ballad: The End of the World c. 1895 - 1900 (Monografia Edition: 1930) Original Engraving on Type Metal Sold
11.- Corrido: Fusilamiento de Bruno Apresa by Jose Guadalupe Posada Bruno Apresa's Execution by Fire squad c. 1895 (Arsacio Vanegas Arroyo Edition: 1943) Original Engraving on Type Metal Sold
12.- Corrido: Fusilamiento de Bruno Martinez by Jose Guadalupe Posada Bruno Martinez Executed by the Firing Squad 1892 (Arsacio Vanegas Arroyo Edition: 1943) Original Engraving on Type Metal Sold
13.- Corrido: Incendio de la Valenciana by Jose Guadalupe Posada Ballad: The Valenciana Fire c. 1895 (Arsacio Vanegas Arroyo Edition: 1943) Original Engraving on Type Metal Sold
14.- Corrido: 'La AlfaJorera' by Jose Guadalupe Posada Ballad: 'The Nougat Vendor' 1893 (Monografia Edition: 1930) Original Engraving on Type Metal Sold
15.- Corrido: 'The Rumba' by Jose Guadalupe Posada Ballad: 'The Rumba' c. 1900 - 1910 (Arsacio Vanegas Arroyo Edition: 1943) Original Engraving on Type Metal Sold
16.- Corrido: "Las Bicicletas" & "Loa: El Petatero" by Jose Guadalupe Posada Ballad: "The Bicycles" & "Loa: The Sleeping Matt Carrier" c. 1895 (Arsacio Vanegas Arroyo Edition: 1943) Original Engraving on Type Metal Sold
17.- Corrido: Los Lamentos de Bruno Martinez by Jose Guadalupe Posada Ballad: The Lamentations of Bruno Martinez c. 1895 (Arsacio Vanegas Arroyo Edition: 1943) Original Engraving on Type Metal Sold
18.- Corrido: Plaza de San Juan de los Lagos by Jose Guadalupe Posada Ballad: San Juan de los Lagos Square c. 1895 (Arsacio Vanegas Arroyo Edition: 1943) Original Engraving on Type Metal Available
19.- Cuatro Zapatistas Fusilados by Jose Guadalupe Posada Four Zapatistas Executed by a Fire Squad c. 1895 (Arsacio Vanegas Arroyo Edition: 1943) Original Engraving on Type Metal Sold
20.- Dialogo de Calaveras (Un 'Charro' y Su Amor) by Jose Guadalupe Posada Dialogue of Skeletons 'A Horseman and his love c. 1910 (Monografia Edition: 1930) Original Etching on Zinc Sold
21.- Dialogo de Calaveras 'Una Pareja Emocionada' by Jose Guadalupe Posada Dialogue of Skeletons 'An Excited Couple' c. 1910 (Monografia Edition: 1930) Original Etching on Zinc Sold
22.- Don Ferruco y su amor by Jose Guadalupe Posada Don Ferruco and his Love c. 1910 (Monografia Edition: 1930) Original Etching on Zinc Sold
23.- Ejemplo: 'Maria la Chiquita' by Jose Guadalupe Posada Example: 'Maria the Little One' 1897 (Arsacio Vanegas Arroyo Edition: 1943) Original Engraving on Type Metal Sold
24.- Ejemplo: 'La Bejarano' by Jose Guadalupe Posada Example: 'The Bejarano', (Guadalupe Martinez de Bejarano, The Child Killer) c. 1892 (Arsacio Vanegas Arroyo Edition: 1943) Original Engraving on Type Metal Available
25.- El Jarabe en Ultratumba by Jose Guadalupe Posada The Folk Dance Beyond the Grave c. 1910 (Monografia Edition: 1930) Original Etching on Zinc Sold
26.- El Muneco de Carton by Jose Guadalupe Posada Ballad: The Cardboard Doll c. 1900 - 1910 (Arsacio Vanegas Arroyo Edition: 1943) Original Etching on Zinc Available
27.- La Gaceta Callejera: La Adultera by Jose Guadalupe Posada The Street Gazzete: The Adultress c. 1895 (Arsacio Vanegas Arroyo Edition: 1943) Original Engraving on Type Metal Available
28.- La Gaceta Callejera: Manifestacion Anti Clerical by Jose Guadalupe Posada The Street Gazzete: Anti Clerical Manifestation c. 1895 (Arsacio Vanegas Arroyo Edition: 1943) Original Engraving on Type Metal Sold
29.- Ni Aqui te Olvidare! by Jose Guadalupe Posada I Won't Even Forget You From Here! c. 1910 (Monografia Edition: 1930) Original Etching on Zinc Sold
30.- Pleito de Suegras by Jose Guadalupe Posada Argument Between Mothers-in-Law c. 1895 (Arsacio Vanegas Arroyo Edition: 1943) Original Engraving on Type Metal Sold
31.- Separacion del Cuerpo y del Alma by Jose Guadalupe Posada Separation of the Body and the Soul c. 1895 (Arsacio Vanegas Arroyo Edition: 1943) Original Engraving on Type Metal Sold

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