The Skeletal World of José Guadalupe Posada

The Skeletal World of José Guadalupe Posada presents the work of the iconic 19th-century Mexican artist and lithographer whose illustrations of skeletal figures known as "calaveras" and "catrinas" have become an essential part of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations.

Featuring a select set of Posada’s prints, including some of his most famous calaveras, Skeletal World also includes art that showcases his enduring legacy. Posada’s lithographs have influenced many Latin American and Latino artists, cartoonists, and creators because of the satirical depth and acuteness of their social commentary. As one of the most prolific printmakers in Mexico, Posada used skulls, calaveras, and bones to engage in political critiques about everything from social injustice to corruption. One of his most enduring works is La Calavera Catrina, now associated with Día de los Muertos.

Curated by Jorge F. Rivas Pérez, Frederick and Jan Mayer Curator of Latin American Art, the show highlights a treasure in the museum’s deep collections, a gift of Posada’s prints by Denver artist and art history professor Charles Frederick Ramus (1907-1979), a life-long admirer and collector of Posada's work.

This exhibition is on view through May 19, 2024.

Poster with text and a cartoon-like drawing of a skeletal man riding a horse — José Guadalupe Posada, *La Gran Calavera of Emiliano Zapata* (*The Great Calavera of Emiliano Zapata*), about 1900. Wood block print on paper; 16¼ × 11⅞ in. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Charles F. Ramus, 1948.838

Poster with text and drawing of a group of skeletons vying to board a train — José Guadalupe Posada, *Gran Calavera Electrica* (*Great Electric Calavera*), 1907. Wood block print on paper; 15¾ × 12 in. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Charles F. Ramus, 1948.843

Poster featuring text and drawing of Calavera of D. Francisco Madero as a skeleton in a cowboy hat — José Guadalupe Posada, *La Gran Calavera D. Francisco I. Madero* (*The Great Calavera of Francisco I. Madero*), about 1900. Wood block print on paper; 16¼ × 11⅞ in. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Charles F. Ramus, 1948.838

Poster featuring text and drawings, the largest of which is a man with tentacles as a body — José Guadalupe Posada, *La Calavera de Colera Morbo (The Calavera of Colera Morbo),* 1910. Wood block print on paper; 15⅞ × 11⅞ in. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Charles F. Ramus, 1948.852

Poster and text with a large drawing of a skeleton in a cowboy hat in the center — José Guadalupe Posada, *La Calavera Oaxaqueña* (*The Oaxacan Calavera*), 1903. Wood block print on paper; 15¾ × 11¾ in. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Charles F. Ramus, 1948.856

Poster with text and a drawing of a group of skeletons riding bicycles — José Guadalupe Posada, *Las Bicicletas* (*The Bicycles*), 1913. Wood block print on paper; 15¾ × 11¾ in. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Charles F. Ramus, 1948.856

Poster with text and drawing of a group of skeletons engaged in a revolt — José Guadalupe Posada, *La Calavera Revuelta de Federales, Comerciantes y Artesanos (The Calavera Revolt of Feds, Merchants, and Artisans),* 1911. Wood block print on paper; 15¾ × 11⅞ in. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Charles F. Ramus, 1948.859

Poster with text and drawings of a calvary lead by a skeleton on a skeletal horse — José Guadalupe Posada, *La Calavera de la Viuda Alegre (The Calavera of the Merry Widow)*, 1910. Wood block print on paper; 15¾ × 11¾ in. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Charles F. Ramus, 1948.860

Sculpture of a skeletal man holding an instrument while riding in a wooden cart — Luis Tapia, *Doña Sebastiana La Maestra, Will Take Your Requests (Death Cart)*, 2001. Carved and painted wood with horse hair; 31¼ × 40 × 22½ in. Gift of Susan Cosgriff Kirk, 2009.483. © Luis Tapia.

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The Skeletal World of José Guadalupe Posada is organized by the Denver Art Museum. Support is provided by the donors to the Annual Fund Leadership Campaign and the residents who support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). Promotional support is provided by 5280 Magazine and CBS Colorado.