CATRINA "The Day of The Dead Muse"

Calacas Catrina Day of The Dead Dia de Muertos Guadalupe Posadas La Catrina Skulls The Skulls

The Day of the Dead, “Día de Muertos”, is a Mexican HOLIDAY and it’s main character is no one but CATRINA. During this day we connect in grief, remembering the people and all the beloved souls that are no longer with us...

This is biggest Catrina of the world. Being 49 ft 2 in. 
Located in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. 2022. Unknown Artist.


Not only artists, generally speaking every Mexican and their mama has at least once or twice painted their face during this time of the year. This is the time to take out the face paint, and draw some "Catrina" makeup ART on our faces!

1. photo by MaloMalverde

During this day, and quite frankly during whole season, you will find skeletons plastered EVERYWHERE. You can spot some on tee shirts, murals, as sugar treats, and even as decorations on our Altars for the Dead.


2. Photo by wiki commons 


This day has become a tradition us Mexicans LOVE. During November 1st we dress up as this alluring- colorful creature, and go to school, work... we even hit the clubs and party all dressed up as CATRINA. 

The “Catrina” started as a metal engraving done by the artist José Guadalupe Posada in 1873, although its original name was not actually “Catrina”, but  “Calavera Garbancera''. Its name was derived from the name given to people who sold chickpeas in the streets, and although having native indigenous blood, they pretended to be European. 

3. Photo by MollySVH

The illustration was intended as a social critique of Mexican society, especially of those enriched during the presidency of Porfirio Diaz.

Guadalupe Posada was a Mexican Satirical Chronicler, well known for cultivating the Genre “Calavera Literaria” (lA Literate Skull)... Attaining to deliver content for the Mexican culture during that time, being published in the news (“Periódicos de Combate”), to analyze society and the government. 

The Calaveras made fun of the living as well as the dead.....


4. Photo by Halloween HJB

Later, in 1947, the famous muralist Diego Rivera borrowed Posada's “Calavera Garbancera” to create the now world renowned Catrina. She was first seen in Rivera's mural “Sueño de una tarde dominical en la Alameda Central” in which he placed the skeleton in the midst of many other relevant characters of mexican history, like Hernán Cortés, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, Benito Juárez and even his own lover, famous painter, Frida Khalo.

5. By wikki commons 

Now a days the Catrina is a part of the rich landscape that is Mexican culture, and has become the most recognizable symbol of one of our most important and beloved celebrations, but not only that, it has now seen world recognition and appreciation thanks to movies like Disney's “Coco”  & More Artistic content!

What a time to be Alive! ha..

 VIII created THE SKULLS SERIES  & THE MINI COLLECTIBLES ... following Mexican culture traditions from her roots. 


El Amor by VIII. 

 

 

Written by Valeria Llamosa and Isabela Gaya. For VIII Art Co. 
References: 
1. MaloMalverde. Catrina de Frida. (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
2.J Mndz, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
3. MollySVH. Posada Museum, Aguascalientes. (CC BY 2.0)
4. Halloween HJB. POSADA, José Guadalupe (1852-1913). 🇲🇽 Gran fandango y francachela de todas las calaveras. (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
5. Wikipologus, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Featured image: Tomascastelazo, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Cultura General. (2018). Que significa la Catrina de Jose Guadalupe Posada. Retrived from https://www.culturagenial.com/es/la-catrina-de-jose-guadalupe-posada/

Older Post Newer Post


Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published