Accession Number1958/1.104
TitleVista de Zaragoza
Artist(s)Leopoldo MéndezArtist NationalityMexicanObject Creation Date1953Medium & Supportlinoleum cut on paperDimensions 12 1/4 in x 16 1/2 in (31.12 cm x 41.91 cm);22 in x 28 in (55.88 cm x 71.12 cm);19 13/16 in x 25 13/16 in (50.32 cm x 65.56 cm)
Credit LineMuseum PurchaseSubject matterVista de Zaragoza depicts a view of the city of Zaragoza in Spain. In 1953 Méndez created several prints, including this one that relate to the life of the famous poet José Martí. Martí studied law at a university in Zaragoza and it is assumed that he is one of the men standing on the balcony looking out over the city. Méndez bathes Martí in sunshine and highlights architectural details with light. This style is consistent with his compulsive mark making and overall composition.
Méndez was highly invovled in social and political issues of Mexico as an artist. He believed that the value of art was found in its ability to create social change rather than its monetary value. Méndez was a founding member of the Liga de Escritores y Artistas Revolucionarios and the Taller de Gráfrica Popular. He found inspiration in the artistic styles of Cubism, Italian Futurism, Russian Constructivism, German Expressionism, and Surrealism but he primarily identified as a realist artist.
Physical DescriptionIn this print we see a view of a city from the rooftop. In the foreground, two men standing on a balcony stare out at a city. A tall belltower emerges from the middle and leans to the right. In the background are smaller buildings and clouds fill the sky.
Primary Object ClassificationPrintCollection AreaModern and ContemporaryRightsIf 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
Cityscapes
Figures
Mexican
architecture (discipline)
buildings
children
cityscapes (representations)
modern and contemporary art
poets
shadows
tower
