The artwork, titled “La gartijo,” is a caricature created by Jose Guadalupe Posada, an artist associated with the Modernismo movement. This piece features characteristics typical of Posada’s style and serves as an exemplar of the modernist caricature genre.
The artwork depicts a skeletal figure adorned in gentlemanly attire, including a suit, bow tie, hat, and footwear. The figure holds a walking cane in its left hand and has a large cigar protruding from its mouth. Detailed lines and cross-hatching techniques are used to emphasize the contours and textures. The juxtaposition of the macabre skeleton with the sophisticated attire injects a sense of irony, typical of Posada’s satirical approach.
