The artwork titled “Artistic Purgatory. In Which Lie the Calaveras of Artists and Artisans!” was created by Jose Guadalupe Posada in 1904. This piece belongs to the Modernismo art movement and is characterized as a caricature.
The artwork depicts a scene in what the artist refers to as an “Artistic Purgatory,” where skeletons of artists and artisans are portrayed engaging in various activities. The skeletons, or calaveras, are shown performing tasks such as painting, playing musical instruments, and crafting, enveloped in an environment symbolically representing purgatory. The skeletal figures are humorously exaggerated, fitting the satirical nature of a caricature. The background features intricate patterns, contributing to the overall chaotic and dynamic ambiance of the scene. The vivid use of linework directs attention to the expressions and actions of the calaveras, encapsulating a sense of perpetual toil.
