Aguascalientes native Posada (1852−1913) was in many ways the founder of modern Mexican art. His engravings and satirical cartoons broadened the audience for art in Mexico, highlighted social problems and were a catalyst in the later mural phase, influencing artists like Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco and Alfaro David Siqueiros. Posada’s hallmark is the calavera (skull or skeleton) and many of his calavera engravings have been widely reproduced. There’s also a permanent exhibition of work by Posada’s predecessor Manuel Manilla (1830−90).
