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Fascismo II / Leopoldo Méndez

Gallery Label

A menacing figure with enlarged hands and a downturned mouth brandishes a still-smoking gun. The symbol on his hat and the acronym on his shirt indicate that this is a Nazi supporter and a member of the fascist Mexican Revolutionary Action/ Acción Revolucionaria Mexicanista (ARM). He walks among the bodies of his victims, men in overalls, most likely farm workers. One of the unarmed dead lies on a flag partially obscuring its hammer and sickle (symbols synonymous with worker solidarity, and later, the communist party), his own fallen hammer beside him. In the background, two men brutally beat a woman who attempts to shield herself in defense. Artist Leopoldo Méndez created this print and its companion works in response to the rise of fascism and its leaders Francisco Franco, Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler in Europe. Fascism II visually protests right-wing violence and elicits sympathy for its victims.

Una figura amenazadora con manos enormes y boca caída empuña un arma que aún humea. El símbolo que trae en el sombrero, y el acrónimo de la camisa, indican que se trata de un defensor de los nazis y miembro de la ARM (Acción Revolucionaria Mexicanista), un grupo fascista. Anda entre los cuerpos de sus víctimas: hombres vestidos de overoles, probablemente trabajadores agrícolas. Uno de los muertos desarmados yace encima de una bandera, ocultando solo parcialmente su hoz y martillo (símbolos de la solidaridad obrera y, después, también del partido comunista), con su propio martillo caído al lado. En el fondo, dos hombres golpean brutalmente a una mujer que intenta defenderse. El artista Leopoldo Méndez creó este grabado, y otros que lo acompañan, como respuesta al aumento del fascismo y de sus líderes Francisco Franco, Benito Mussolini y Adolfo Hitler en Europa. De manera visual, Fascismo II protesta la violencia de ultraderecha y suscita simpatía por sus víctimas.

From the exhibition: Mexican Modernism: Revolution & Reckoning, August 29, 2019 - August 30, 2020.
Alison Rossi, Director of Learning and Community Engagement, 2019.

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Title(s): 
Fascismo II; Fascism II; La Estampa Mexicana - Portfolio of Mendez - Subtitle: Fascism (2)
Creator(s): 
Leopoldo Méndez (Artist)
La Estampa Mexicana (Publisher)
Culture: 
Mexican
Date: 
mid-20th century
Materials/Techniques: 
woodcut on paper
Classification: 
Object Type: 
Accession No: 
17.49.20
Previous Number(s): 
1747.49.20; 40565
Department: 
Not On View

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