Proletarian Hand

Currently not on view

Proletarian Hand

1932

Leopoldo Méndez (Mexican, 1902–1969)

Méndez made most of his prints to call attention to social and political causes. Here he has surrounded a worker's hand with the last names of political martyrs in the United States and Mexico who were honored as heroes in left-wing circles all over the world. At first glance, the hand appears be an X-ray image, but closer examination reveals that the finger bones are hanged prisoners and the wrist bones are portraits of some of the persons named in the background.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Proletarian Hand

Date:

1932

Artist:

Leopoldo Méndez (Mexican, 1902–1969)

Medium:

Wood engraving (proof of incomplete flyer)

Dimensions:

Image: 10 5/16 × 6 1/8 inches (26.2 × 15.6 cm) Sheet: 13 x 9 1/8 inches (33 x 23.2 cm)

Classification:

Prints

Credit Line:

Gift of Anne d'Harnoncourt in memory of Sarah Carr d'Harnoncourt, 2003

Accession Number:

2003-228-1

Geography:

Made in Mexico, North and Central America

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Currently not on view