A man with weapons and a pipe in his mouth flanked by two skeletons, illustration for 'El Derribahombres,' published by Antonio Vanegas Arroyo

Art Historical Context

This zincograph print by José Guadalupe Posada captures a striking scene: a man armed with weapons and smoking a pipe stands flanked by two skeletons. Created between 1880 and 1910 as an illustration for the publication *El Derribahombres*, it was issued by the influential Mexican publisher Antonio Vanegas Arroyo. The compact format—measuring just over six by four inches—reflects the affordable broadsides that circulated widely among working-class readers in late 19th- and early 20th-century Mexico. Posada employed the zincograph technique to achieve crisp lines and bold contrasts, allowing his images to be reproduced quickly and inexpensively. His prints often placed skeletal figures in everyday settings, blending macabre humor with social observation. Here, the armed central figure and his bony companions evoke the ever-present reality of death alongside human activity, a recurring motif in Posada’s work that drew from Mexican folk traditions. Today, this piece from the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection offers a vivid glimpse into Posada’s role in shaping popular graphic art. The imagery of weapons, smoking, and mortality continues to resonate, highlighting themes that influenced later generations of Mexican artists and cultural celebrations.

About the Artist

José Sanchez|José Guadalupe Posada (Mexican|Mexican) · 1895 |1851 –1910 |1913

Mexican, active ca. 1900–1910|Mexican, 1851–1913