The association of calaveras with Dia de los Muertos may have begun in the ancient traditions of the Mexican people. However, its worldwide modern popularization is due mainly to the work of two Mexican artists: José Guadalupe Posada (1852-1913) and Manuel Manilla (1830-1895). While working during the late 19th and early 20th century for the Mexico City publisher Antonio Vanegas Arroyo, Posada and Manilla created thousands of images to illustrate the editorial’s publications. “Penny press” broadsides were commonly used to communicate news and articles of the day. These broadsides were very popular around the dates of Dia de los Muertos as they would feature calavera images, often satirizing current events or popular characters or depicting calaveras in life mocking activities to remind readers of their future shared destiny: death.

As part of Mexico Week: Día de los Muertos at Rockefeller Center, 2022, this exhibition provided a sampling of the many calavera images crafted by Posada. It is a memorial to him for his contribution and influence on past, present, and future generations of artists. It is also meant to serve as a portal through which the dead may be brought back, allowing us to reflect on the nature of life and death.

Jim Nikas, Director

Fundación de Arte Posada, ¡Viva Mexico! y ¡Viva Posada!

Exhibition Credits

MEXICAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Secretary, Marcelo Ebrard Casaubón; CONSULATE GENERAL OF MEXICO IN NEW YORK Consul General, Jorge Islas López; MEXICAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE OF NEW YORK  Programs and Exhibition Coordinator, Ana Sofía Salas Betancourt; Administration, Osvaldo García Carrillo; GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF AGUASCALIENTES Constitutional Governor of the State of Aguascalientes, María Teresa Jiménez Esquivel ; Secretary of Tourism, Gloria María Romo Cuesta; THE POSADA ART FOUNDATION Executive Director, Jim Nikas; EXHIBITION Graphic Designer, Karen Naranjo Limón; Visual Artist, Sandra Pérez.

Where: Lobby 10, Rockefeller Center

When: October, 19 – November, 2

The event is free and open to the public