Old Writer
Medium
Graphic Arts-Print
Classification
Graphic Arts-Print
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Jack Lord
Accession Number
1971.439.59
Tags
Art Historical Context
José Guadalupe Posada, a pioneering Mexican printmaker (1852–1913), captured the spirit of early 20th-century Mexico through his bold, satirical graphic arts. Born in Aguascalientes and later based in Mexico City, Posada produced thousands of zincograph prints for newspapers and broadsheets, blending social commentary with folk art traditions. His iconic style—characterized by stark black lines, exaggerated features, and often macabre humor—influenced generations, including Diego Rivera and the muralist movement. This 1947 posthumous publication of *Old Writer* exemplifies his enduring legacy,...