Un poco alegre y graciosa

Manuel Alvarez Bravo sought to represent the viewpoint of Mexico’s Indigenous cultural heritage and its peasants as he chronicled their encounter with the country’s rapid modernization. His work is often considered Surrealist, but he never formally identified with that art movement. The odd juxtapositions, occasional humor, and quixotic viewpoint of his images may derive from growing up in a culture that contains both Indigenous and European traditions.

A horizontally oriented black-and-white photograph depicts a textured stone ground under bright light. In the upper right, bare legs and feet of a person with light skin stand facing away. To the left, a white sleeveless top lies flat on the stones. In the foreground, a dark wooden stand holds a round tray overflowing with tangled, ribbon-like strands. Sharp shadows stretch across the pitted surface toward the lower left corner.

Un poco alegre y graciosa

1942, printed 1974

Manuel Álvarez Bravo

(Mexican, 1902–2002)

Mexico

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