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 los Tlacololeros

Accession Number
1944.4

Title
Danza de los Tlacololeros

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 dance originated in the town of Chichihaulco in the state of Guerrero, Mexico. It is performed during the festival of the town's patron saint, St. Michael, in September. The dance shows the story of Tlacololero, a farmer, who completes various feats to protect the land. Included in these feats is killing a jaguar and a tiger. It is performed as a way to bring a rich harvest. It was originally performed in honor of the Aztec rain god, Tlaloc.

Physical Description
Centered on the page, this print shows two figures. The one in the foreground is wearing a grey cloak, while the one in the back has a blue cloak. Both figures have one orange boot, and orange hats. Also both figures are wearing red masks with stylized mustached-faces. The front figure holds an orange whip, and the back figure holds a white whip.

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
Aztec (culture or style)
Mexico
Panthera onca (species)
dancers
face masks
farmers (people in agriculture)
folk dances
modern and contemporary art
whips (disciplinary tools)

11 Related Resources

Arts of Mexico
(Part of 2 Learning Collections)
Dance
(Part of 4 Learning Collections)
CRC Classroom Resource: Art Books 
(Part of: CRC Classroom Resources)
Indigenous North America Arts
(Part of 9 Learning Collections)
Translate-a-thon: Spanish
(Part of 2 Learning Collections)
Work by Indigenous Artists in UMMA's Collection
(Part of: Representation and Misrepresentation of Indigeneity in UMMA's Collection)

& Author Notes

All Rights Reserved