A man stabbing another man in the chest while his associates loot a store, from a broadside entitled 'The theft at La Profesa'

Art Historical Context

In the dramatic type-metal engraving *A man stabbing another man the chest while his associates loot a store*, from the broadside *The theft at La Prof* (ca. 1890–1891), José Posada captures a chaotic moment of urban violence. The Mexican printmaker, renowned for his stark, satirical illustrations in popular broadsides, depicts a brutal stabbing amid opportunistic looting, highlighting the raw brutality of street crime. Posada's bold, high-contrast lines and unflinching detail evoke immediate tension, drawing viewers into the frenzy. Created during Mexico's Porfiriato era under President Porfirio Díaz, this print likely sensationalized a real robbery at La Profesa, a Mexico City site, reflecting widespread social unrest, poverty, and lawlessness in late 19th-century urban life. Broadsides like this were affordable street literature, blending news, folklore, and moral commentary to reach everyday audiences, making Posada a voice for the masses. Posada's mastery of type-metal engraving—a relief printing technique using durable metal plates—enabled mass production for these ephemera, influencing modern graphic design and political cartoons. Now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints collection (gift of Jean Charlot, 1930), this 6⅛ × 9⅛ in. sheet exemplifies Posada's legacy as a pioneer of socially charged visual journalism.

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...