José Guadalupe Posada: Legendary Printmaker of Mexico

José Guadalupe Posada: Legendary Printmaker of Mexico
October 21, 2023 - January 7, 2024
Arlington Museum of Art
201 West Main Street
Arlington, TX 76010

A collection of iconic works by José Guadalupe Posada (1852–1913), one of the most prolific and talented Mexican artists of all time, is traveling to North Texas at the Arlington Museum of Art for an exhibition that will run from Oct. 21, 2023 through Jan. 7, 2024.

The Posada exhibition at the AMA features original broadsheets, pamphlets, printing plates, books, game boards, and engravings. Many of the works were produced by Posada during the years he worked for the visionary publishing house of Antonio Vanegas Arroyo. Together, Posada and Arroya touched the hearts and minds of their countrymen and women through incredibly expressive imagery that both reflected the times and offered satirical, political, and social commentary on them. It is thought that in his lifetime, Posada created more than 20,000 images documenting nearly every aspect of life.

Posada is generally credited with popularizing the calavera (skeleton) images commonly seen today and most frequently associated with El Día de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) in Mexico. 

José Guadalupe Posada: Legendary Printmaker of Mexico will be the last exhibition held at the Arlington Museum of Art’s current location. By Spring 2024 and in partnership with the City of Arlington, the AMA will move to the Arlington Entertainment District into a location with eight times the exhibition space of our current building. This new, world-class arts destination will remain true to our roots while multiplying our creative capabilities and ability to serve our community.

The timing of this exhibition, which opens about a week before El Día de los Muertos, is not coincidental. El Día de los Muertos is an occasion for celebrating those who came before us. What better time for the AMA to honor and thank our founders—and all of those who worked to build on their foundation—than in conjunction with an exhibition of Posada’s work? We also wish to pay tribute to our family of current sponsors, members, volunteers, patrons, and partners who continue to work side-by-side with us as we write the next chapter of the museum's history.

José Guadalupe Posada: Legendary Printmaker of Mexico is organized by the Posada Art Foundation. Museum tour organized by Landau Traveling Exhibitions, Los Angeles, CA. Operational support for the AMA is provided in part by the Arlington Cultural Tourism Council. The museum’s website was made possible by a grant from the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation.