Documentary

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Posada and Political Satire

Jose Guadalupe Posada (at nineteen years of age) created this image in 1871 for a weekly publication that featured satirical commentary called El Jicote "The Wasp". Here he depicts a circus-like arena composed of politicians. Politicians are in the audience and also holding the balance beam for the "balancing act" of the politician who is performing. In this image the politician could be flip flopping on policies or jumping to another party, regardless it is tricky act. It could easily have been published today using the faces of contemporary political candidates.