This is one of two broadsides in the exhibition printed on colored paper. Thousands of copies published by Arroyo were issued on inexpensive reddish-orange and green paper. It appears that broadsides printed on colored paper were produced in the 1890s. Arroyo’s broadsides were sold by roaming street vendors. The brightly colored paper may have served well to catch the eye of the potential customers.
Posada’s image in the upper half was printed in several instances, each time within a different context. For example, another broadside featuring the same print includes different text and print in the lower half. It was efficient and less expensive to reuse type-metal plates.
José Guadalupe Posada (Mexican, 1852-1913)
La Calavera de los Encapuchados (The Skull of the
Hooded Ones), ca. 1894
Broadside, type-metal engraving on paper
Miami University Art Museum Purchase
2014.55.20