José Guadalupe Posada, Cat Calavera

A cat with a skeleton head? Check out José Guadalupe Posada's Calavera de Gato for Day of the Dead, made in the early 20th century.

The famous Mexican printmaker Posada made this Cat Skeleton around 1903. Posada made a lot of calaveras for Day of the Dead, which happens every year on November 2 each. It’s a day to honor family who have passed on. Posada printed these humorous skeletons to poke fun at people or situations.

The official name of the print is “La Nueva Calavera del Morrongo o Sea de Gatos y Garbanceras,” or "The New Calavera of the Servant Class or that of Tomcats and Maids," sometimes called the Gato Calavera. It is a broadside and etching. You can find the image here: UHM Library Digital Image Collections.