A leading group during the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920) was the Liberation Army of the South, known as the Zapatistas. Named after leader Emiliano Zapata, the group formed with the intent of promoting land reform. The Zapatistas contributed to the overthrow of President Porfirio Díaz. They would go on to oppose his successors when the peasant classes were continuously denied the possession of land. Here, Posada depicts the execution of six Zapatistas, who are portrayed as bandits. Posada typically avoided declaring any overt political stance; this scene is a seemingly objective depiction of the shootings.
José Guadalupe Posada (Mexican, 1852-1913)
Fusilamiento de Zapatistas (Zapatistas Executed by Firing Squad), 1912
Broadside (recto), photo-relief and letterpress on paper
Miami University Art Museum Purchase
2014.55.11a