The artwork titled “Calavera Oaxaqueña,” created by Jose Guadalupe Posada in 1903, belongs to the Modernismo art movement and is classified under the genre of caricature.
The artwork depicts an engaging scene filled with animated skeletal figures, characteristic of Posada’s style. Dominating the foreground is a large, jovial skeleton adorned with a sombrero, striking a dynamic pose as though dancing or parading. This central figure is surrounded by a throng of other skeletons, each uniquely detailed and engaged in various activities, suggesting a lively community scene. The background is densely packed with more skeletal figures, enhancing the feeling of an animated, bustling crowd. Skulls and bones are strewn across the base of the scene, adding to the macabre yet whimsical tone of the piece. The intricate line work and vivid expressions inject vitality into the otherwise grim subject matter, presenting a satirical yet respectful nod to Mexican culture and its traditions surrounding death and the afterlife.