A man grabbing a woman by her sleeve and stabbing her, from a broadside entitled 'The murder of Leandra Martinez by her brother, Manuel'

Art Historical Context

José Guadalupe Posada’s 1891 type-metal engraving captures a harrowing moment of violence: a man a woman by the sleeve he stabs her Created as an illustration for broadside “The murder of Leandra Martinez by her brother, Manuel,” the print distills a sensational crime into a compact, dramatic scene. Posada, a Mexican graphic artist of the nineteenth century, specialized in such affordable sheets that brought news, gossip, and moral tales to a wide public. The medium itself is central to the work’s power. Type-metal engraving allowed Posada to produce bold, high-contrast images quickly and inexpensively, making them ideal for street vendors and popular reading. Measuring just 5 5/8 by 7 7/8 inches, the sheet was designed to be folded or posted, its stark lines ensuring the tragic event would remain vivid even when printed on cheap paper. Today in the Metropolitan Museum’s collection, the print offers a window into Mexico’s vibrant tradition of illustrated broadsides. Posada’s unflinching depiction of suffering reminds viewers how popular art once served as both news source and moral commentary, turning private tragedy into shared cultural memory.

About the Artist

José Guadalupe Posada · 1852–1913

José Guadalupe Posada (1852-1913) was a Mexican printmaker and engraver who revolutionized popular art and created some of the most iconic images in Mexican culture. Working primarily with publisher Antonio Vanegas Arroyo, he produced over 20,000 images during his career—inexpensive broadsheets sold for a penny on colored paper that made his art accessible to even the poorest workers. He transform...