Front cover to "Siqueiros 13 Grabados"

In 1930 Siqueiros spent six months in Lecumberri prison in Mexico City after being arrested for his membership of the Communist Party, which had been outlawed in Mexico. During these months he made a series of thirteen woodcuts from small scraps of wood. They focus on social issues such as class and poverty. He was released from prison in 1931 but forced into exile in the town of Taxo, southwest of Mexico City. There he collated his woodcuts into a portfolio entitled Siqueros: 13 Grabados. The preface to the portfolio (in English and Spanish) was written by Willam Spratling, an American-born silver designer and artist. The titles of the prints are derived from a rare early set on off-white paper inscribed by the artist himself.

The present print of the woman holding a child is pasted to the cover that forms part of several pages. The verso of the last sheet contains information regarding this publication. This is number 33 in the edition of 100, all of which are numbered and signed by the artist. The intervening sheet with the Preface by William Spratling is mounted separately.