Grinding maize
Date: 1946
Medium: Lithograph
Dimensions (cm.): 21.6 x 30.3
Alternate titles: Corn Cribs in Cuautla; Grinding Maize, Cuautla; Grinding Maize (San José Tepepa, State of Morelos); El maíz; Coscomates
Published edition:
Co-publication of the TGP, La Estampa Mexicana, and Associated American Artists, at least 1,700 impressions on "cartulina Marquilla de 65 kilos." See commentary, below, for details. Impressions from the edition are signed in graphite, lower right.
Unknown number of proofs hand-pulled by José Sánchez at the TGP, probably 15-20 approx.
Contemporary publication: Information to be added
References: Prignitz 606
Commentary: Originally conceived in concert with the Council for Pan-American Democracy, a left-wing organization in New York, the Mexican People project was completed with Reeves Lewenthal of Associated American Artists. Lewenthal commissioned 1500 copies of 12 prints, 10 in black and two in color. José Sánchez pulled a small number of proofs at the TGP, after which the stones were sent to the American Book and Printing Co. in Mexico City to print the edition. Over 1700 copies were printed of each print in the portfolio (and in one case, as many as 1842). 1500 of each were sent to the AAA in New York, and the remainder were retained by the TGP or La Estampa Mexicana. Méndez also designed the portfolio cover, which was printed commercially in New York. The AAA only printed 250 copies of the cover, and many sources give that as the number of copies in the edition. Later, the AAA printed a less elaborate cover with the title Mexican art, a portfolio of Mexican people and places, containing only the 10 black and white prints. The cover was printed on light cardstock and included a detail from Méndez's cover illustration. An unknown number of copies of this edition was released. The AAA also sold the prints individually. (Deborah Caplow and Peter Schneider)
Cataloging note: A high quality photo-offset reproduction was issued. (Details to be added.)
Catalogue record number: 264