Who is La Calavera Catrina?

If you have been to Mexico or seen films set there, you may have wondered, who is that well dressed skeleton with the big hat? The Catrina figure was created by obscure printmaker José Posada, however it was Diego Rivera who popularised and named her in his 15 metre long mural 'Dream of a Sunday Afternoon Along Central Alameda.'

In this hugely impressive work completed in 1947, Rivera fills the crowded scene with four centuries worth of Mexican history and folklore and he places Catrina at the centre of it, her skeletal form a symbol of the equalising force of death.

A Cultural Icon

In modern Mexico, La Calavera Catrina is a ubiqtuous icon, commonly seen in contemporary and folk artworks, printed fabrics, adverts and billboards, graffiti and especially in Day of The Dead fancy dress costumes. 

Our Catrina Ceramics

Based in Texcoco, Artenesias Diaz is a small family workshop that makes contemporary ceramic figurines and specialises in Calavera Catrinas. Run by Señor Arturo, the beautiful Catrinas statues they make reflect the traditional symbolism. In several of the examples we have for sale, Catrina is shown holding a comal, a traditional Mexican hot plate for warming and serving maize tortillas and tacos.

Catrinas are sometimes depicted holding, comals, a set of bellows, water jugs or other everyday items. The contrast of these domestic tools with the glamourous finery of her attire further highlight the juxtaposition.