Morir Soñando (To Die Dreaming) 1942

José Guadalupe Posada created this zinc etching, Morir Soñando, in Mexico, around 1889. It advertises a collection of 36 songs. The image shows a woman in a domestic setting, seemingly attended by a cherubic angel, while a couple strolls in the background. Posada was a printmaker and engraver who worked prolifically during a time of great social and political upheaval in Mexico. His work appeared on leaflets, posters, and newspapers, making art accessible to a broad public, not just the elite. Posada often critiqued the social structures of his time, addressing themes of inequality, political corruption, and the struggles of ordinary people. He worked for the publisher Antonio Vanegas Arroyo, whose name is prominent on the print. The imagery here references Mexican cultural traditions around death and dreams. The song collection for sale would likely have resonated with a popular audience familiar with themes of love, loss, and longing. To understand this image fully, we might research the history of printmaking in Mexico and look for connections with the folk traditions of the country. Posada’s work reveals the powerful role of art in shaping public opinion and reflecting on social realities.