Scandal: Rumor, gossip, and biases, products of an ignorant society, are the principal agents in a woman's downfall. Save her and others by...teaching reading and writing! ...

Due to required maintenance, some galleries and artwork may be off view. Learn more

Currently not on view

Scandal: Rumor, gossip, and biases, products of an ignorant society, are the principal agents in a woman's downfall. Save her and others by...teaching reading and writing! ...

1945

Francisco Dosamantes (Mexican, 1911–1986)

In the mid-1940s, Dosamantes worked for the national campaign to make the indigenous peoples of Mexico literate and Spanish-speaking, an initiative first launched in the 1920s after the revolution. To sell the benefits of reading and education to his audience, he used bold linocut designs and simple captions that warn of the dire consequences of illiteracy and ignorance. Here, a group of well-dressed, educated citizens are portrayed as cackling birds and braying asses accusing an illiterate, barefoot peasant woman of scandalous behavior. The caption reads (translated): Rumor, gossip, and biases, the products of an ignorant society, are the principal agents of a woman's downfall. Save her and her compatriots by raising their intelligence by teaching them to read and write! Lend your enthusiastic support to the National Anti-illiteracy Campaign!

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Scandal: Rumor, gossip, and biases, products of an ignorant society, are the principal agents in a woman's downfall. Save her and others by...teaching reading and writing! ...
Centerfold from Ruta, No. 5, May 31, 1945

Date:

1945

Artist:

Francisco Dosamantes (Mexican, 1911–1986)

Medium:

Linocut

Dimensions:

Image: 11 3/4 × 19 1/2 inches (29.8 × 49.5 cm) Sheet: 15 1/16 x 22 1/16inches (38.3 x 56cm)

Classification:

Prints

Credit Line:

Gift of Carl Zigrosser, 1972

Accession Number:

1972-145-83

Geography:

Made in Mexico, North and Central America

We are always open to learning more about our collections and updating the website. Does this record contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Contact us here.

Please note that this particular artwork might not be on view when you visit. Don’t worry—we have plenty of exhibitions for you to explore.

Currently not on view

More like this:

1/12