Day of the Dead

Posada's calaveras

Posada's calaveras are skeletons that dress up, dance, drink, fall in love and show off like any living person. Through them he reminded us that death makes everyone equal: rich and poor, the general and the market vendor.

Most were published on Day of the Dead broadsides from the press of Antonio Vanegas Arroyo, alongside literary calaveras: mocking verses dedicated to trades, public figures and popular types.

The MUNAG collection includes lead plates with pairs of calaveras in traditional dress, and broadsides such as "Calavera oaxaqueña", "Calavera criminal", "Don Quijote" and "Gran fandango y francachela de todas las calaveras".

These images are the direct origin of the Mexican calavera seen every November on altars, in parades and on posters.