La Calavera Catrina

January 2016 - Tlaquepaque Mexico

I have a fascination with Catrinas, you can find them in all shapes and sizes around Mexico.
I also discovered that there is a connection to Frida Kahlo through her husband.

One of the most iconic images of the Day of the Dead celebration is the La Calavera Catrina, or simply La Catrina. The character of the skeletal high-society woman has come to represent the holiday, which runs from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, like no other.

While the original work by Posada introduced the character, the popularity of La Calavera Catrina as well as her name is derived from a work by artist Diego Rivera in his 1948 work Sueño de una tarde dominical en la Alameda Central (Dream of a Sunday afternoon along Central Alameda).

In Tlaquepaque there is a mosaic depicting this painting.
The center of the photo is dominated by the elegantly dressed skeleton La Calavera Catrina holding arms with the Mexican graphic artist who first conceived and drew her, José Guadalupe Posada in a black suit and cane. La Catrina wears a feathered serpent boa around her shoulders. On La Catrina's right she is holding hands with a child version of Diego Rivera in short pants. Rivera's wife Frida Kahlo is standing just behind and between him and La Catrina; Kahlo has her hand on Rivera's shoulder and she is holding a yin-yang device.

Some other examples around town.