The Skeleton of the Buses
1905
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1905
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
The Skeleton of the Buses is a 1905 by José Guadalupe Posada, depicting sheet music, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
You see a group of skeletons riding a streetcar, dressed in fancy clothes and going about daily life. One skeleton drives the tram, while others sit or stand, just like regular passengers. This print pokes fun at the dangers of electric trams in Mexico City around 1900. Posada used skeletons to talk about real events in a way that was easy to understand, even if you couldn’t read well. He made these images cheaply so workers and ordinary people could see them and laugh — but also think. The skeletons are drawn with strong black lines and simple details, giving them expression and personality. His work appeared in newspapers and flyers, spreading fast. Posada cared about social issues and used art to share sharp opinions with the public. Look up the artist: José Guadalupe Posada (Mexican, 1852–1913). (118 words)
