Sin título (funeral de revolucionarios)
Estampas de la Revolución mejicana

Artist name

Alberto Beltrán

Artist year born

1923

Artist year deceased

2002

Artwork make date

1974

Artwork title translation

Untitled (Funeral of the Revolutionaries)
Prints of the Mexican Revolution

Artwork material

woodcut
paper

Artwork dimensions

height: 20cm
width: 29cm

Artwork type (categories)

Print

Accession method

Donated by the School of Philosophy and Art History, University of Essex 2001

Accession number

3:5-2001

Label text

In this print, a large sea of men and women march past fortress-like, simplified cathedrals. They are marching in the direction of a body of water indicated by a ship in the distance. Beltrán emphasizes the collective sorrow of the crowd through the large black folds of the peoples' garments. Several women in full-length robes and covered heads hold bouquets of flowers. A few angle their heads towards the right to look at the casual man leaning against a post. The man is an unwelcome presence during this solemn occasion. The wafting smoke of his cigarette as well as the rifle half resting, half held up indicate that he is literally posted in order to keep an eye on the funeral procession. The straight brim of his hat and uniform indicate that he is not one of the revolutionaries of the Mexican Revolution but rather a counter-revolutionary. He is not a peasant; he is against them. He is not respectful of the deceased in the black coffin held above the crowd yet almost lost in its own blackness. Many of the men in the crowd hold their own hats to the side as a sign of reverence.
Collins, Caitlyn

Last updated date

2008