Kitschy Art

Galas de México was a printing company founded in 1912 by a Spanish immigrant.  It became one of the most important printers of calendar art, advertising and movie posters in Mexico.  Although the art is definitely kitschy, it is a part of Mexican culture from an earlier era.  (The company was bought by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim and now concentrates on product packaging.)

In the atrium of the Church of San Francisco in Mexico City's "Centro Histórico" there is an exhibit on the art of Galas de México.

This 1955 Ford truck was one of the fleet of vehicles owned by Galas de México to deliver millions of calendars throughout the city.

Some of Gala's best known calendar prints were depictions of Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhautl, the star-crossed lovers who according to myth were turned into volcanoes.

This one, dating from 1965, is called "Amor Eterno" (Eternal Love).

This one, from 1954, was entitled "Amor Indio" (Indian Love).

Some more romanticized images of pre-Hispanic Mexico

"Leyenda Azteca" (Aztec Legend), 1970

"Pareja en Trajinera" (Couple in a Canoe), 1954

The Aztec world never looked sexier!

Cuauhtémoc, the last of the Aztec emperors is pictured in this print.

Romanticized and stereotypical images of a more recent Mexico...

"Los Trovadores" (The Troubadours)

"La Serenata" (The Serenade), 1950

"Jarabe Tapatío", 1937 (the dance that we know as the Mexican Hat Dance)

Movie posters from the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema...

"Adiós, Mi Chaparrita", 1941

"Los Gavilanes", 1956

"Adiós Nicanor¨, 1937