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Movies, Geniuses, and Lawyers (Cine genios y abogados)

1940s
Not on view
This satirical work was published in the Taller de Gráfica Popular journal Calaveras to reflect Day of the Dead celebrations. In a fantastical world, skeletons play various roles with assorted clothes and costumes indicating their activities and statuses. At front is a skeleton reading to a group of eager children beside a large pile of books. A black gown and cap with a tassel spelling leyes (laws) indicate a connection to the law and schooling. Against the backdrop of a contemporary town, other skeletons engage in quotidian pursuits such as reading, napping, and distributing printed materials door-to-door, while more menacing ones are shown maniacally laughing and abducting another skeleton. Also visible are couples in formal attire, such as the newlyweds seen emerging from a church and the amorous duo seated nearby.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Movies, Geniuses, and Lawyers (Cine genios y abogados)
  • Artist: Mariana Yampolsky (American, Chicago, Illinois 1925–2002 Mexico City)
  • Date: 1940s
  • Medium: Linocut
  • Dimensions: Sheet: 12 in. × 17 11/16 in. (30.5 × 45 cm)
    Image: 9 13/16 × 11 5/8 in. (25 × 29.5 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Gift of Richard and JoAnn Edinburg Pinkowitz, 2024
  • Object Number: 2024.69.85
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

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El Paquin
Mariana Yampolsky
ca. 1948
Revolutionaries resting for the night (vivac de Revolucionarios), Plate 87 from "450 Años de Lucha: Homenaje al Pueblo Mexicano" (450 Years of Struggle: Homage to the Mexican People), Mariana Yampolsky American, Offset lithograph
Revolutionaries resting for the night (vivac de Revolucionarios), Plate 87 from "450 Años de Lucha: Homenaje al Pueblo Mexicano" (450 Years of Struggle: Homage to the Mexican People)
Mariana Yampolsky
Taller de Gráfica Popular, Mexico City
1960
Lopez Mateos destroying the 'latifundo' system (Lopez Mateos destruye latifundios), Plate 134 from "450 Años de Lucha: Homenaje al Pueblo Mexicano" (450 Years of Struggle: Homage to the Mexican People), Mariana Yampolsky American, Offset lithograph
Lopez Mateos destroying the 'latifundo' system (Lopez Mateos destruye latifundios), Plate 134 from "450 Años de Lucha: Homenaje al Pueblo Mexicano" (450 Years of Struggle: Homage to the Mexican People)
Mariana Yampolsky
Taller de Gráfica Popular, Mexico City
1960
Plate 8: The young Emiliano Zapata watching a scene in which workers in a field carry heavy loads, while others are being whipped, from the portfolio 'Estampas de la revolución Mexicana' (prints of the Mexican Revolution), Mariana Yampolsky American, Linocut
Plate 8: The young Emiliano Zapata watching a scene in which workers in a field carry heavy loads, while others are being whipped, from the portfolio 'Estampas de la revolución Mexicana' (prints of the Mexican Revolution)
Mariana Yampolsky
Taller de Gráfica Popular, Mexico City
1947
Plate 49: Revolutionaries gathered and singing songs peritinent to their cause, from the portfolio 'Estampas de la revolución Mexicana' (prints of the Mexican Revolution), Mariana Yampolsky American, Linocut
Plate 49: Revolutionaries gathered and singing songs peritinent to their cause, from the portfolio 'Estampas de la revolución Mexicana' (prints of the Mexican Revolution)
Mariana Yampolsky
Taller de Gráfica Popular, Mexico City
1947

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