The distinctive artwork used during Dias de Los Muertos comes from ancient and modern sources. Skulls and skeletons are often represented in the art of Prehispanic Mexico. Much of it was religious and some political. Human sacrifice and collection of victim's skulls was one of the more unpleasant elements of Aztec and other ancient peoples' cultures. When the Spanish began the conquest of Mexico in 1521, they brought with them an art that featured images of an agonizingly crucified Christ and a tradition called "the Dance of Death." The customs merged to become part of Mexican culture.

Figure known as La Catrina, a satire on upper class women.

Sugar skulls that are sold all over Mexico for Days of the Dead.

 

The current tradition of skeletons (calaveras) comes from one of Mexico's greatest graphic artists, Jose Guadalupe Posada (1852-1913). Posada, a native of Oaxaca, published his illustrations in newspapers, fliers, song sheets, and magazines. Many have to do with miraculous or horrifying events, the sort of stories that appear in today's supermarket tabloids. Tales of women who bore both human children and animals at the same time are nothing new. Many of Posada's illustrations satirized political leaders, corrupt politicians, pretentious social climbers, pompous clerics and others. Diego Rivera, one of Mexico's greatest artists, visited Posada and later used his skeletal themes in his own works. A figure called "La Catrina," which mocks snooty women of the upper class comes from one of Rivera's most famous murals. Since the 1920s skeletons showing all of human beings' shortcomings have become features of popular culture, especially around Days of the Dead.

Satirical figures representing a wedding scene.

 

ABOUT THE ARTIST:
The animation at the head of the program is based on a print by Nicolás de Jesús. He also is the artist who created the skeleton eating the watermelon.

View our animated open using Real Player.

Please click here if you would like to know more about the artist