The catrina It has become the image par excellence of the celebration of the Day of the Dead in our country and in the International Representative of Mexican Culture.
Its cavalric figure has been part of popular history since 1910when satirical writings known as «Calaveritas» that criticized both the situation of the country and to the Socialité. In these publications there were male skeletons – known as elegant and well -dressed catrin, accompanied by some lady with the same characteristics, so they began to be mentioned as catrinas; This style was a Classical image of the Mexican aristocracy of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.
José Guadalupe Posada Museum
Who created the Catrina?
José Guadalupe Posada Illustrator, recorder and cartoonist originally from Aguascalientes, He created «The Garbancera skull», a drawing that intended to criticize women who achieved high social status and hid their roots to follow European fashions and customs. The name came from the sellers of chickpea, who being poor sought to appear to be rich and hide their indigenous roots.
The GARBANCERA SALA She is illustrated from the chest up, without any garment than a pompous hat and a grimace of happiness on her face, Posadas did not miss the opportunity to distinguish the origins of her satire when drawing some buns behind the ears as domestic employees used.
Diego Rivera and La Catrina
In 1947, Diego Rivera He resumed the character of Posada on his mural Sleep of a Sunday afternoon at the Central Alameda When he baptized her as The catrina, and complemented the drawing of José Guadalupe Posada drawing it full body with elegant dresses and hats with what changed the “social status” to the garbancera.
What you didn't know about the catrina
- The Mexican population of those times that belittled their roots emerged as satire
- The original version was made in a metal engraving that is currently in the Posada Museum in Aguascalientes, Mexico.
- The «original» catrina is adorned only with a hat emphasizing poverty and its desire to belong to another social class.
- Catrina is identified with the Day of the dead But in its origin had no relationship with this holiday.
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