In 2014, the Miami University Art Museum (MUAM) acquired 25 broadsides by Mexican printmaker José Guadalupe Posada. Regarded as the most important illustrator in Mexican history, Posada is estimated to have produced more than 20,000 illustrations during his career. This exhibition provides a glimpse into Posada’s contributions to art and social criticism. Posada died in anonymity and his legacy languished for more than a decade. Thanks to the efforts of Mexican muralist Diego Rivera, artist and illustrator Louis Henri Jean Charlot and scholar Anita Brenner, Posada’s prolific work rose out of obscurity.
Sincere appreciation is extended to Jacqueline Rioja Velarde (Miami University’s Center for American and World Cultures) for support of programs and promotion for this exhibition. Additional acknowledgment is extended to Miami faculty emerita Ellen Price (Printmaking) and Robert S. Wicks (Director, Art Museum) for their presentations in association with this exhibition. Their technical, historical, and cultural insights will further contextualize the important work of Posada and Arroyo in defining a prolific era of Mexican printed material.
This exhibition is curated with assistance from undergraduates Alexa Marines, Summer 2019 Curatorial Intern and Abigail Solon, Spring 2020 Curatorial Intern. Translation of Spanish featured in the broadsides is provided by Emily Tobey, Visiting Assistant Professor (Department of Spanish and Portuguese).