FORT WORTH, TX.- On October 19 the Amon Carter Museum of American Art presents ¡Hombre! Prints by José Guadalupe Posada to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of José Guadalupe Posada (1852–1913), one of the key figures in the development of modern Mexican printmaking. Born of humble origins in the city of Aguascalientes, Posada died a well-known but impoverished man in Mexico City. He was a versatile and inventive draftsman; over the course of his career, he drew an estimated 15,000 different ephemeral prints that documented just about every facet of Mexican life.

“This exhibition focuses on Posada’s interpretation of men,” says Rebecca Lawton, curator of paintings and sculpture. “The images address perceptions of masculinity embedded in Mexican culture. But, above all, the prints are highly entertaining and will appeal to many audiences.”

¡Hombre! presents more than 50 of Posada’s prints from the Amon Carter’s collection, one of the largest holdings of Posada’s work in the United States. The prints on view include an amusing array of outlaws, fugitives, demons, lovers, politicians and matadors, as well as indelible images of ranchers, known as valientes (brave ones); the popular everyman Don Chepito; and the magnificent calaveras (skeleton caricatures portraying living people). Posada made the tradition of the calaveras popular, and his works on the subject surpassed all previous efforts.

“Although the name Posada may not be recognizable, many of his images, particularly his skeleton figures, are familiar,” Lawton explains. “His calaveras were the inspiration for much of today’s Day of the Dead imagery. The illustrations are dynamic and eye-catching, and were as instantly accessible to Posada’s contemporary audience as they are to us today.”

Organized by the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, the exhibition will be on view October 19, 2013, through April 6, 2014. Admission is free.