Jose Posada was born in Aguascalientes, Mexico in 1852. Posada is known as a one of the most important graphic artists of Mexico. Posada focused on social-political issues in his work. Posada’s political caricatures with skeleton figures reference to Day of the Dead and Mexican symbolism.

Posada started his career by making drawings and copying religious images. In 1866 Posada worked in a print shop, learning lithography and engraving in the Taller de Trinidad Pedroza.

In 1872 Posada moved to the city of Guanajuato, where he began making prints on wood to illustrate documents and books. Eventually, Posada moved to Mexico City, installing his first exposition in the street of Santa Teresa. Posada continued to live in Mexico City as an illustrator in the studio of Antonio Vanegas Arroyo, for whom he made thousands of drawings. All of Posada’s drawings at this time were made in opposition to the government and the President Porfirio Díaz. Posada became well known for his political activism and strong, radical imagery.

The work of Posada is vast and varied. Posada’s graphic work is highly valuable. It is said that Posada’s work will inevitably provoke a smile, curiosity, fear and the spirit of activism with its dark humor.

Posada is considered to be a popular artist and a master of Mexican art. Posada fought the inequality and social injustices of his corrupt government. Posada’s work is conserved in major institutions in Mexico such as the National Institute of Fine Art and The Museum of Jose Guadalupe Posada in Aguascalientes. Do you think you own a piece by Posada? Contact us. We are the Posada experts.