Broadside with 48 scenes relating to the comedy 'El Tanto por Ciento'

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th Spanish theater with this striking wood engraving broadside by José María Marés created in 1863. Titled *Broadside with 48 relating to the comedy ' Tanto por Ciento' this large sheet (16 9/16 × 11 15/16 in.) captures the lively essence of a popular comedic play—likely a zarzuela Spain's beloved genre blending spoken dialogue, music, and satire. Marés, a skilled Spanish engraver, meticulously rendered 48 distinct vignettes featuring men and women in dynamic poses, from exaggerated expressions to theatrical antics, promoting the production to eager audiences. Wood engraving, the medium here, was a pinnacle of printmaking technique in the mid-1800s, allowing for fine details and high-contrast images that could be inexpensively reproduced on a grand scale. Broadside posters like this one adorned streets and theaters, serving as vivid advertisements that brought the comedy's humorous plots—perhaps poking fun at financial schemes, as hinted by the title ("The Hundred Percent")—to life before patrons even bought tickets. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (acquired via the Max G. Wildnauer Fund in 1978), this piece offers a window into Spain's cultural boom, where visual storytelling fueled public entertainment. It's a testament to how art democratized theater, turning everyday prints into portals of joy and social commentary.

About the Artist

José María Marés · 1850–1870

José María Marés was a Spanish printer, publisher, and broadside producer active in Madrid from approximately 1850 to 1870. Operating first from addresses on the Calle de Relatores and later from the Plazuela de la Cebada under the imprint Imprenta de Marés y Compañía, he ran one of the more prolific popular-print establishments in mid-nineteenth-century Madrid. His presses produced illustrated br...