"Guerrilleros Mexicanos"

"Guerrilleros Mexicanos"

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Description
This lithograph illustrates the chaos and conflict engulfing northern Mexico during the years of the Mexican-American War from 1846-1848. In these years the United States organized an Army of Occupation, initially led by General Zachary Taylor, to capture cities like Monterrey in preparation for a later assault on the Mexican heartland. The figure on horseback is a Mexican guerilla fighter. These skilled horsemen, often doubling as both patriots and bandits, had an established role in Mexican military tradition, and were actively recruited to combat the U.S. invaders. To understand his limited appeal to the Mexican public, note that the dead figures over whom the guerrillero is triumphantly galloping appear to be Mexican citizens, not invading American soldiers.
The lithographer is unknown.
Description (Spanish)
Esta litografía ilustra el caos y el conflicto que abrumaron al norte de México durante los años de la guerra mexicoamericana entre 1846 y 1848. En este período Estados Unidos organizó un Ejército de Ocupación, inicialmente comandado por el General Zachary Taylor, a fin de capturar ciudades como Monterrey, en preparación para la posterior ofensa al corazón de México. La figura a caballo es la de un guerrillero mexicano. Estos hábiles jinetes, que a menudo actuaban tanto de patriotas como de bandidos, tenían una función establecida dentro de la tradición militar mexicana y se los reclutaba activamente para combatir a los invasores estadounidenses. A fin de comprender el poco atractivo que estas figuras despertaban entre el público mexicano, obsérvese que los muertos sobre los que galopa triunfante el guerrillero parecen ser ciudadanos mexicanos y no soldados americanos invasores.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
lithograph
Object Type
Lithograph
Date made
ca 1848
maker
unknown
place made
World
Physical Description
ink (overall material)
paper (overall material)
Measurements
image: 8 1/4 in x 12 1/2 in; 20.955 cm x 31.75 cm
ID Number
DL.60.2559
catalog number
60.2559
accession number
228146
Credit Line
Harry T. Peters "America on Stone" Lithography Collection
subject
Horses
Patriotism and Patriotic Symbols
Uniforms, Military
Mexican War
See more items in
Home and Community Life: Domestic Life
Government, Politics, and Reform
Cultures & Communities
Military
Mexican America
Art
Peters Prints
Domestic Furnishings
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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