México 200
José Guadalupe Posada: The Birth of Mexican Modernism

June 18–December 26, 2010
Focus Gallery II

For México 200, a Museum-wide celebration of the bicentennial of Mexico’s Independence, the DMA will present two special exhibitions of modern and contemporary Mexican art on the Museum’s first floor, beginning June 18. José Guadalupe Posada, born in 1852, who died poor and unknown in 1913, is now considered the most influential Mexican artist of the beginning of the 20th century. Such acclaimed fellow Mexican artists as Diego Rivera and José Clemente Orozco, among many others, paid tribute to him. A prolific printmaker, his pervasive images—known through penny broadsheets, leaflets, and pious and political illustrations—were very popular. They anticipate Mexican mural painting of the 1920s and 30s. Posada is best known for his costumed skeleton characters, or calaveras, which he used as a medium for political and social satire.

The exhibition, on view in Focus Gallery II, will showcase a number of Posada’s works, including original zinc, wood and metal printing plates and booklets, and will offer visitors an exceptional overview of the visual world he created through prints made for conservation purposes.

Complementing this exhibition will be a special installation of contemporary Mexican art on view in the Concourse, titled Tierra y Gente: Modern Mexican Works on Paper.

México 200 is organized by the Dallas Museum of Art. The exhibition is presented by Bimbo Bakeries USA and BBVA Compass. Additional support is provided by Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, The Texas Financial Group – Dallas. Air transportation provided by American Airlines. Promotional support provided by Metroplex Cadillac and Univision 23 and Univision Radio.