It's October

The year is flying by, and it is time to turn the page of the calendar to October.

The calendar that I made for 2024 features pieces of Mexican art.  October's photo is appropriate for this time of year.  Although the Day of the Dead is not until November 2nd, in a few weeks the events leading up to that day will begin.  The painting, entitled "La Ofrenda" (The Offering) is by Saturnino Herrán.

Herrán is not a well-known name, even in his native Mexico.  A few years ago, I wrote about him on this blog when I attended a special exhibit of his work at the National Museum of Art in Mexico City.  That is where I took this photo of his most famous painting.

Herrán was a member of an art movement called "indigenismo", which recognized the racial diversity of Mexico, and which captured the dignity and beauty of the people and their traditions.  "The Offering" is an allegory representing the journey of life.  A group of people, of all ages, are on one of the flat-bottomed boats that are typical of the canals of Xochimilco on Mexico City's south side.  The boat is filled with a cargo of marigolds, the flower that is used on the altars that are set up for the Day of the Dead in remembrance of departed loved ones.  Although each person on the boat represents a different stage of life, they are all on the same journey leading to the same ultimate destination.

Sadly. Herrán reached his final destination at a much too early age.  In 1918, he died at the age of only 31 from gastric problems.