La protesta

Date:  1937

Medium: Linocut

Dimensions (cm.): Information to be added

Alternate titles: Unknown

Published edition: 

1. Number of impressions unknown.

2. Reprinted in 1943 in portfolio 25 Prints of Leopoldo Méndez: 100 impressions in numbered portfolios, 50 of them on China paper (described as “special imported chinese stock”), plus 3 impressions in unnumbered portfolios. Each impression signed in graphite, lower right, and annotated 23, lower right corner of sheet. Sheet dimensions 24.4 x 19.2 cm.

3. Reprinted on invitation for reception in honor of the delegates to the III Congreso General de la Confederación de los Trabajadores de América Latina (CTAL), marzo de 1948, verso.

Contemporary publication: 

1. In reduced size as vignette on cover of Miguel Otero Silva, Agua y cauce (Editorial "Mexico Nuevo", 1937).

2. On invitation. See published edition, above.

References: Exposición de Homenaje 397?, Méndez INBA 7.

Commentary: This print uses the expressionistic representations of bodies and faces to portray the drama of domination and resistance. In La protesta (The Protest), a gigantic figure rises out of a crowd of protesters, his face contorted with emotion and his upraised fist clenched. In the foreground a man with a whip beats a naked man, who crawls toward the mass of people in the background. The giant man points an accusatory finger toward the tormentor and victim. The print suggests the influence of Belgian artist Frans Masereel, whose work Méndez admired. Masereel often depicted giant, solitary figures emerging from crowds. The print also reflects the influence of José Clemente Orozco, with its twisted, abject and almost faceless figures.  (Deborah Caplow)

Catalogue record number: 352