'Incidentes melódicos del mundo irracional' ('Melodic Incidents of an Irrational World ')
Published in Maya K’iche’ with Spanish translations, this book by Juan de la Cabada (Mexican, 1899–1986) is loosely based on folk songs from the Yucatán. It relates the sad story of Doña Caracol (Mrs. Snail) and her husband, Don Ardilla (Mr. Squirrel) in a dreamlike narrative that combines music and poetry and draws on Surrealism. Méndez made forty striking prints for the book that are inspired by pre-Columbian imagery and depart from the artist’s usual focus on contemporary politics.
Este libro del mexicano Juan de la Cabada (1899-1986), publicado en maya-quiché con traducciones al español, es una adaptación libre de algunas canciones populares de Yucatán. Cuenta la triste historia de doña Caracol y su esposo don Ardilla en un relato onírico que combina la música y la poesía y bebe de las fuentes del surrealismo. Para el libro, Méndez creó cuarenta impresionantes grabados inspirados en la iconografía precolombina. Estas obras se apartan de su producción habitual, centrada en la política contemporánea.
Este libro del mexicano Juan de la Cabada (1899-1986), publicado en maya-quiché con traducciones al español, es una adaptación libre de algunas canciones populares de Yucatán. Cuenta la triste historia de doña Caracol y su esposo don Ardilla en un relato onírico que combina la música y la poesía y bebe de las fuentes del surrealismo. Para el libro, Méndez creó cuarenta impresionantes grabados inspirados en la iconografía precolombina. Estas obras se apartan de su producción habitual, centrada en la política contemporánea.
Artwork Details
- Title: 'Incidentes melódicos del mundo irracional' ('Melodic Incidents of an Irrational World ')
- Author: Juan de la Cabada (Mexican, 1899–1986)
- Artist: Leopoldo Méndez (Mexican, 1902–1969)
- Publisher: La Estampa Mexicana
- Date: 1944
- Medium: Codex-form book with relief illustrations (wood engraving, linocut, scratch board), letterpress
- Dimensions: 11 × 8 1/4 in. (28 × 21 cm)
- Classification: Books
- Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1946
- Object Number: 46.46.537
- Rights and Reproduction: © 2025 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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