Poster relating to the reform of art education in Mexico

Gabriel Fernández Ledesma Mexican

Not on view

During the 1920s, Mexican artists demanded the radical reform of art education. In 1928 Fernández Ledesma and others formed an activist group called ¡30 30! after a carbine rifle used during the 1910–20 revolution. This poster expresses one of the group’s aims: to close the National Art Academy forever. The academy is represented as a bull that kicks a student while a professor (possibly representing its director Manuel Toussaint) suckles it. "Inspiration" can be found in bottle of wine on the ground, and at left a figure labeled "borloteros" (a person who creates disorder) is about to release a slingshot.




Durante la década de 1920, los artistas mexicanos exigieron una reforma radical de la educación artística. En 1928, Fernández Ledesma formó con varios de ellos un grupo de activistas llamado ¡30 30! en referencia a una carabina usada durante la revolución de 1910-20. El cartel expresa uno de los objetivos del grupo: cerrar definitivamente la Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes. La Escuela es representada como un toro que cocea a un alumno mientras un profesor (posiblemente su director Manuel Toussaint) bebe de sus ubres. En la botella de vino tirada en el suelo se puede leer «Inspiración» y, a la izquierda, una figura con el rótulo «borloteros» —una persona que provoca tumultos— está a punto de disparar un tirachinas.

Poster relating to the reform of art education in Mexico, Gabriel Fernández Ledesma (Mexican, Aguascalientes 1900–1983 Mexico City), Woodcut on pink paper

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