Men in a tavern standing around a bar

Art Historical Context

In the lively print *Men in a Tavern Standing Around a Bar*, Mexican artists Manuel Manilla and José Guadalupe Posada capture a quintessential slice of everyday life in late 19th- to early 20th-century Mexico. Created around 1890–1910 using type-metal engraving—a durable relief printing technique that allowed for inexpensive, mass-produced broadsheets—this work exemplifies the duo's mastery of bold, accessible graphic art. Posada, renowned for his satirical calaveras (skeleton imagery) and social commentary, often collaborated with Manilla on popular prints that adorned homes and markets, blending humor with sharp observation. The scene buzzes with camaraderie: men gathered at a bar in a dimly lit tavern, likely sharing drinks and stories, with dogs adding a touch of everyday charm amid the revelry. Taverns were vibrant social hubs in Porfirian Mexico, reflecting the era's growing urban culture and working-class leisure amid rapid modernization. These prints, small yet impactful (image measures just 5 1/16 × 6 5/16 in.), democratized art, making it affordable for the masses. Reprinted in 1964, this engraving from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints collection endures as a window into Mexico's folk art tradition, highlighting Posada and Manilla's influence on modern graphic design and their role in preserving cultural vignettes through simple, evocative lines.

About the Artist

Manuel Manilla|José Guadalupe Posada

Manuel Manilla was a Mexican engraver and printmaker active in Mexico City during the late nineteenth century, where he became one of the most prolific popular artists of his era. Working primarily for the publishing house of Antonio Vanegas Arroyo, Manilla produced hundreds of woodcut and metal engravings that illustrated broadsheets, corridos, and cheap printed literature consumed by a wide urba...