The artwork entitled “Corrido de los cuatro zapatistas fusilados” is a piece by the artist Jose Guadalupe Posada, representative of the Modernismo art movement. This genre of caricature highlights stark, often satirical depictions of subjects, capturing cultural and social narratives with biting humor and critical perspective.
In the artwork, one can observe a dramatic and dark scene depicting the execution of four figures, presumably zapatistas, facing a firing squad. The scene is rendered in a monochromatic palette, emphasizing the severity and somber nature of the moment. The four victims stand against a brick wall, their hands obscured or raised in a gesture of surrender or defiance. Opposite them, an orderly line of soldiers, rifles raised, bring focus to the stark finality of the scene. The setting appears to be an outdoor location enclosed by a substantial stone wall, suggesting a public execution site. The somber mood is further underscored by the uniform attire of the soldiers and the indistinguishable, almost faceless quality of the victims, underscoring the dehumanizing act of execution. The detailed textures and strong lines characteristic of Posada’s work deftly encapsulate the gravity and tragedy of the scenario captured within this striking piece.
