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A look into Global Art and the theme of death in Mexican art
By: Hannah Aguilera ART 160
Calavera de Madero by Jose Guadalupe Posada
The theme of death fascinates me, as it is one thing that links all people of all cultures together. I am specifically intrigued in how the concept of death is involved in certain cultures art, such as Mexico. It is late October and I am traveling to Mexico to experience the Day of the Dead, or Dia de Muertos.
This is a day in Mexico where the country’s past is involved, such as Aztec beliefs, and a day where death is celebrated.
This is the ancient Aztec death god Mictlantecuhtli, who influenced Mexico’s current view on death. Skeletal imagery in the Aztec world was a symbol of health and ferPlity, which could have developed Mexico’s view of death meaning rebirth.
Catholicism also is a large influence on Hispanic art. The older tradiPons of the indigenous people have blended with Catholicism to create art pieces that reflect death, such as Diego Velazquez’s Cristo crucificado. Done in 1632, Velazquez’s beliefs in ChrisPanity influenced this portrayal of death. For ChrisPanity, the crucifixion and death of Christ is the most important aspect of the religion. The principle of Catholicism, and the death of Jesus Christ also have influenced many Hispanic arPsts to visually display death in all forms of art.
This wood carving of the crucifixion, made by an unknown arPst in the 14th century, illustrates just how far back the beliefs of Catholicism have influenced art.
I wandered through the city of Tzintzuntzan, Mexico to learn more about the history of Day of the Dead. It is a joyous yet sacred Pme where people rejoice the souls of the dead. As seen in this picture, Mexico’s celebraPon of Day of the Dead is much more public than any other naPons. Dia de Muertos reveals how open and unafraid Mexican’s are of death.
In Tzintzuntzan, Mexico during the 2009 Day of the Dead fesPval)
Origins I learned about the brief origins of Dia de Muertos. It was first seen publicly more than 500 years ago when Spanish Conquistadors came to Mexico and saw naPves performing a ritual mocking death. Since the Spanish conquered the Aztecs, Day of the Dead has merged with Mexico's major religion, Catholicism, but is based on, and sPll maintains the basic concepts of the Aztecs.
Day of the Dead lasts from Oct 31-‐ Nov 2nd. October 31st is All Hallows Eve, November 1st is ‘el Dia de los innocents and All Saints Day. November 2nd is all Souls Day.
Aztec tradiPons and beliefs are the basis for Day of the Dead. This ancient Aztec goddess was the wife of the death god Mictlantecuhtli. Her name is Mictecacihuatl , the Lady of the Dead, and the Aztecs held an annual celebraPon of her.
Aztec statue of Mictecacihuatl, from the 16th century
Art plays a very important role in the celebraPon of Day of the Dead. Skull art’s origin lies in Aztec culture. The most famous skull arPst of Mexico was engraver and printmaker Jose Guadalupe. His humorous image of skeletons helped shaped Mexican’s view of death.
La Calavera Catrina c. 1913, by Jose Guadalupe Posada
Although Skull Art is the most popular art used during Day of the Dead fesPviPes, there are also temporary art pieces, such as custom altars families design to welcome departed spirits.
The families who create these art pieces include certain tradiPonal Mexican altar items, such as candles and incense. As the pictures show, altars usually contain candles and incense to guide spirits back to their altars. Also marigolds are included, because those flowers symbolize death.
What are the Influences of Death in Mexican Art?
Death is not only prominent in art because of Mexico’s origin or religion, but also because of civil unrest. The Mexican RevoluPon of 1910, and the civil unrest that followed created backdrops for many arPsts. A few of Mexico's most famous arPsts incorporated death in their art as a result of civil unrest. I looked further into these arPsts, such as Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and Jose Gaudalupe Posada.
Diego Rivera
Diego Rivera was a famous muralist from Mexico, who would portray death in his large painPngs. He had very powerful views, which were brought on by the Mexican RevoluPon.
Rivera was involved in a government sponsored mural program, but then joined the Mexican Communist Party. His mural The Arsenal depicted his feelings towards the government.
Rivera’s strong poliPcal views meshed with death in his Death of the Capitalist painPng. By painPng with the technique fresco, his images become apart of a wall. This image of the death of his poliPcal opponents is now an integral part of the wall. Rivera paints large murals to make a statement.
Frida Kahlo “I never painted dreams.... I painted my own reality.…I paint what ever passes through my head without any other consideraEon."
Frida Kahlo was one of the most influenPal and famous arPsts of Mexico. She ofen did self-‐portraits. Just as Diego Rivera, her painPngs reflected her feeling of her environment. As she said above, she only painted her reality, what she was surrounded by. Whether it was civil unrest, or her failing health, Kahlo did not shy away from painPng about death.
The Wounded Table, shows how open, or aware Kahlo is of death by painPng herself.
In Thinking About Death, although the main focus is Kahlo, she excellently uPlizes her background space. The green leaves could almost certainly represent life. Both life and death are represented in this painPng, implying that Kahlo clearly isn’t afraid to discuss or ponder about death. This image portrays Kahlo’s understanding of life and death, and in Mexican culture, death is associated with rebirth. This might be why Kahlo painted growing green leaves in the background; although death occurs, rebirth and new life will follow.
Jose Guadalupe Posada
Jose Guadalupe Posada was a famous engraver and printmaker in Mexico in the late 1800’s through early 1900’s. His artwork and use of skulls, played, and sPll is, a vital part of the Day of the Dead fesPviPes. His poliPcal saPre radiated in his prints of skeletons. Posada influenced how Mexicans view death, and his imagery of skeletons is sPll seen every year on Day of the Dead.
His environment, the civil unrest and disdain for government, influenced his art to mock death. His poliPcal saPre was something that Mexicans could relate to.
El Jarabe de Ultratumba (The Folk Dance Beyond the Grave) c.1910
Death being prominent in Mexican culture is interesPng because death means rebirth. Combined religion and tradiPon of the Aztecs led to the idea of rebirth. Death isn’t a sorrowful thing in Mexican culture because it leads to path of a different life. This is why death is so commonly found in Mexican art. It isn’t something brings an end, but brings a beginning.
Death is not something that is feared, but embraced. ArPsts such as Frida Kahlo and Joes Guadalupe Posada recognized that, and created art about death freely. Mexicans embrace death, and that’s why it is so prominent in Mexican culture, and involved in art and holidays such as Day of the Dead.
Calavera O
axaqueña (O
axacan Sku
ll) by Posad
a c.1903
Works Cited
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