Procession (The Virgin of Guadalupe) c. 1890 - 1895

Editor: So this is "Procession (The Virgin of Guadalupe)" made between 1890 and 1895 by José Guadalupe Posada, a woodcut in ink on paper. The strong contrasts and graphic style make me think of early newspapers or pamphlets. What’s your perspective on this print? Curator: What I find particularly compelling about this print is the tension between the religious subject matter and Posada's clear engagement with the material conditions of its production and circulation. Editor: Could you expand on that a bit? I’m not quite sure I follow. Curator: Consider the woodcut technique. It's relatively inexpensive and allows for mass production. Posada wasn't creating precious, one-off artworks for the elite. He was creating images for a broad public, participating in a visual culture accessible to many. Notice how the Virgin, normally revered, is depicted within a giant maguey plant - pulque! What does this say about religion becoming the people's? Editor: That's an interesting point – positioning the Virgin in the context of this everyday plant transforms the scene, integrating a familiar element into the procession. Curator: Exactly. The social context in which this print would have been circulated is key. Think about what social tensions might be at play? And what kind of conversations Posada might be trying to start among people? Editor: This makes me reconsider how artists engage with materials and how those choices determine who the work can reach and what kind of messages it conveys! Curator: Absolutely. Looking at art through the lens of its production can reveal a whole new layer of meaning and cultural participation.