What is the Catrina?
La Catrina or La Calavera Catrina is one of the most recognizable symbols of the Dia de los Muertos holiday – but do you know her origins? The story of La Catrina involves three of Mexico’s most famous artists across two generations and the power of art as a reflection of society.
Who created the Catrina?
The original La Catrina was created by Mexican Illustrator, Jose Guadalupe Posada as part of his series of satirical lithographs that addressed political and societal issues and were published for the masses in the Mexican press. His satirical caricatures depicted the central figures with skulls for faces – regardless of class or status – which was a political statement in and of itself.
Why was the Calavera Catrina created?
La Calavera Catrina was created circa 1910 as a reference to the high-society obsession with European customs and by extension, Mexican leader Porfirio Diaz, whose corruption ultimately led to the Mexican Revolution of 1911. Posada’s Calavera dons a fancy hat – in the European style and her name ‘Catrina’ comes from the slang ‘catrin’ which referred to a well-dressed man or woman.
What is a catrina?
La Catrina is a female calaca (skeleton) or calavera (skull), that is usually dressed up in fancy attire.
What does La Catrina mean?
Today, La Catrina is meant to remind us that no matter who we are (rich, poor, black, or white), we are all going to die.
Why did La Catrina remove the skin?
By removing the skin and reducing the figure of La Catrina to bones, he wanted to show universality, that we are all the same.
Who controlled Mexico at the turn of the 20th century?
At the turn of the 20th century, Mexico was under the control of Porfirio Diaz.
What is the most popular cultural icon in Mexico?
From souvenirs to Barbie dolls, La Catrina is one of Mexico’s most popular cultural icons.
What is the meaning of La Catrina?
La Catrina's vacuously grinning skull fell inevitably into the role of literal and metaphorical poster child for the Day of the Dead, symbolizing the joy of life in the face of its inevitable end. But La Catrina is the beloved grand dame of Mexico's dance with death 365 days a year, appearing in at least two movies, graduating from drawings to sculpture, and taking on such roles as mermaids, brides and the all-around icon of the recent Bicentennial celebrations.
What does the catrina symbolise?
I asked curator David de la Torre. "Catrina has come to symbolize not only El Día de los Muertos and the Mexican willingness to laugh at death itself, but originally catrina was an elegant or well-dressed woman, so it refers to rich people," de la Torre said.
When was the Calavera Catrina published?
The image now called "La Calavera Catrina" was published as a broadside in 1910, just as the revolution was picking up steam. Posada's calaveras — La Catrina above all, caricaturizing a high-society lady as a skeleton wearing only a fancy French-style hat — became a sort of satirical obituary for the privileged class.
What is the name of the sculpture that has cacti and butterflies?
10 of 12 One of La Catrina's more colorful male counterparts, an undated late 20th-century papier-mache sculpture by Felipe Linares, appears to be sprouting cacti, flowers, butterflies and birds from his papier-mache arms and legs. Standing nearly 4 feet tall, it is one of several "Untitled-Calaca Enramada (Skeleton with Flowers)" pieces. One of La Catrina's more colorful male counterparts, an undated late 20th-century papier-mache sculpture by Felipe Linares, appears to be sprouting cacti, flowers, butterflies and birds from his papier-mache arms and legs. Standing nearly 4 feet tall, it is one of several "Untitled-Calaca Enramada (Skeleton with Flowers)" pieces. credit: Courtesy Mexican Museum Courtesy Mexican Museum Show More Show Less
Who is the artist who painted the Catrina mural?
Posada's image was basically a head shot, unclothed except for the elegant hat. It took Diego Rivera to portray a full-length figure, put her in an elegant dresss and, by some accounts, to dub her "La Catrina." In the center of his 50-foot mural, Sueño de una tarde dominical en la AlamedaCentral ("Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park"), Catrina holds the 10-year-old Rivera's hand while Frida Kahlo in traditional Mexican dress stands behind them. None other than a dapper Posada himself stands to Catrina's left, offering her his arm. The symbolism — and this is but a fraction — is staggering.
What is the name of the sculpture that Felipe Linares made?
One of La Catrina's more colorful male counterparts, an undated late 20th-century papier-mache sculpture by Felipe Linares, appears to be sprouting cacti, flowers, butterflies and birds from his papier-mache arms and legs.
When was Miss Pan American 2011?
13, 2011. The 2011 Guadalajara Pan American games are scheduled to begin on Oct. 14. (AP Photo/Javier Galeano) Javier Galeano/AP Show More Show Less
Who created La Catrina?
La Catrina, however, is not Mictecacihuatl—it is, instead, the creation of Mexican illustrator José Guadalupe Posada. Posada, born in Mexico in 1852, was a satirical cartoonist who would often compose lithographs and engravings of cartoonish representations of political and societal figures. The most identifiable element ...
What is the Catrina sketch?
Posada’s original sketch of La Catrina first appeared around 1910, a satirical reference to the cultural appropriation of the European-obsessed leader Porfirio Díaz, whose regime was toppled soon after, following the lead-up to the Mexican Revolution of 1911. This image, of a skull festooned with traditionally European garb, ...
Where did the Lady of the Dead come from?
The very first appearance of the Lady of the Dead in Mexico dates back to the Aztec Goddess Mictecacihuatl (Mitcal) —known as the Queen of the Underworld of Chicunamictlan. In addition to protecting the bones of the dead, her presence was at the heart of gatherings to recognize those who had passed away. It is important to note that in Mesoamerican culture, the view of death was not one of great sadness but rather an extension of life’s celebrated cycle. Such were these celebrations that mourners would share offerings, or ofrendas, to assist their loved ones on their descent to Chicunamictlan.
What is the name of the lady of the dead?
La Calavera Catrina: Mexico’s Lady of the Dead. Often referred to as the Grande Dame of Death, La Calavera Catrina (the “elegant skull”)—or, simply, La Catrina—is frequently seen throughout the streets of Mexico during the Day of the Dead, or Día de Muertos, celebrations.
What are the Catrinas made of?
Catrinas, the artsy skeleton figurines made in ceramic, clay, and other materials have become an extraordinary hallmark of Mexican popular culture, one that reflects Day of the Dead traditions in particular and which also tells a history dating back over a century.
What are the materials used in the creation of the Catrinas?
Today, artful, elegant and sometimes elaborate Catrinas are recreated by artisans using a variety of materials including ceramic, wood, crepe paper, papier-mâché, clay, resin, compressed sugar, and chocolate. The intricate detail of each sculpture as well as its paint and final decorative detail is all-important, and some meticulously-crafted Catrinas can fetch high prices in art galleries.
Who is the artist behind the character La Calavera Catrina?
The character on which La Calavera Catrina — “The elegant skull” — is based was conceived by Mexican engraver José Guadalupe Posada . The original Catrina was titled La Calavera Garbancera: in the form of an artistic etching in zinc, composed for use as political satire around 1910 intended to poke fun at a certain social class of Mexicans who the artist portrayed as having European-aristocratic aspirations—thus the Catrina’s archetypal grandiose plumed hat of a style which passed through a period of high fashion in Europe during that age.
What is the name of the mural that Diego Rivera painted in Mexico?
It was in the late 1940s that Diego Rivera’s mural, Sueño de una tarde dominical en la Alameda Central —that illustrates four centuries of Mexico’s key characters including Rivera himself, Posada, and Frida Kahlo— that gave Posada’s satirical character exposure and notoriety, as well as the moniker La Calavera Catrina by which the original character is still known and referred to today.
