Exhibition research for Detroit Institute of Arts exhibition of prints, drawings, and photographs, tentatively scheduled for 2019.

Contact: Clare Rogan, Curator of Prints & Drawings, crogan@dia.org    

49 Items in this Learning Collection
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Copyright
All Rights Reserved ()

Danza de la media luna

Accession Number
1944.2

Title
Danza de la media luna

Artist(s)
Carlos Mérida

Artist Nationality
Guatemalan

Object Creation Date
circa 1937-1939

Medium & Support
lithograph on paper

Dimensions
16 7/8 in x 12 1/2 in (42.86 cm x 31.75 cm)

Credit Line
Museum Purchase

Subject matter
This is one of a series of ten prints that depict the traditional dances of México. Mérida was the co-founder of the dance school for the Secretariat of Education (Escuela de la Danza de la Secretaría de Educación Pública), which worked to preserve the native dances of the region. In addition to this set, at this time, he produced a number of series that cataloged the popular arts and industries of Mexico and his native Guatemala. 

This scene depicts the "Danza de la media lunda" or the "Dance of the Half Moon." This dance was once featured on a one peso, Mexican air mail stamp. The dance is related to theme of the Christians and the Moors and danced during Holy Week or the feasts of the Apostle Santiago, Corpus Christi, or the Triumph of the Cross.

Physical Description
Centered on the page, this print shows two figures dressed in long robes. One figure wears a blue robe with maroon circles and the other is the opposite. Each faceless figure, carries a knife in one hand. On their heads are headdresses with a black cap and large white half-moon shape attached. The figures look like they are in motion.

Primary Object Classification
Print

Collection Area
Modern and Contemporary

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form. Keywords
Mexico
Puebla
crescents (motifs)
dancers
folk dances
modern and contemporary art
moons
swords

23 Related Resources

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CRC Classroom Resource: Art Books 
(Part of: CRC Classroom Resources)
Indigenous North America Arts
(Part of 9 Learning Collections)
W18 Aguilera-Mellado - SPANISH 372 - Modern and Contemporary Spanish Literature
(Part of: Spanish 296: Fascism and the dictatorial past in Spain and Argentina: Graphic novel, visual culture, and literature.)
PAST- Moon & Lunar Study Cases    
(Part of: FFW Lower Level Study Cases     )
Su19 Solomon - SAC 272 - Classical Film Theory
(Part of: Resources Made by Isabel Engel)
Translate-a-thon: Spanish
(Part of 2 Learning Collections)
Celebration of Mexican Heritage and Culture
(Part of: Resources Made by Isabel Engel)
Work by Indigenous Artists in UMMA's Collection
(Part of: Representation and Misrepresentation of Indigeneity in UMMA's Collection)

& Author Notes

All Rights Reserved