Antonio Vanegas Arroyo Prints by Posada

Posada’s print “To Die Dreaming” and “Love Letters,” are both book covers printed by a Spanish publisher named Antonio Vanegas Arroyo. The consistency of black and white throughout Posadas prints makes the viewer focus more on size and perspective without the distraction of multiple colors that are seen with other artists such as Rivera and Siqueiros. In the first print, “Love Letter,” a large woman prominently stands in the middle of the print almost covering it completely. In her hands, she holds an equally large love letter marked by a large dark heart. On the back of the large woman are butterfly wings making the woman take on the demeanor of a more developed cupid baby. Under the woman lays scattered feminine products and other objects making the viewers eyes move down the page. In Posada’s print, “To Die Dreaming,” he features another largely scaled woman. Although, this woman comparably sits facing away from the viewer as she sniffs a flower, with her head back in bliss. Surrounding the woman is a flowy pattern matching the dreamy narrative starting in the title. In front of the large woman is a smaller cupid baby smiling past her. Towards the bottom right of the image, there are two small figures. A couple walks deeper into the image away from the audience wearing similar upper class clothes as the large sitting women. The overall image brings peace to the viewer through calm strokes and facial expressions along with the theme of love.