Los Lagartijos (The Dandies) 1942

This image, Los Lagartijos, or The Dandies, was created as a metal engraving by José Guadalupe Posada, sometime around the turn of the century. Look closely, and you can almost see him, bent over the metal plate, scratching away with focused intention. I can imagine his hand moving deftly, guided by a vision of these finely dressed figures. The scene feels like a stage set, doesn't it? The figures, poised with an air of self-importance, could be characters in a play. Posada’s wider practice, from broadsides to political cartoons, speaks of an artist deeply engaged with the social and cultural life of his time. I wonder if he knew he was speaking to us now. I love the graphic quality of the printmaking. The stark contrast between black and white creates a dramatic effect, which also lends a sense of timelessness to the image. Artists like Posada remind us that art is an ongoing conversation, a dialogue across generations.