Oaxaca travel poster – Vintage Mexico travel poster – Dance festival wall art
This is a great reproduction of a 1943 vintage travel poster created for the Mexican Tourist Office by Miguel Covarrubias. The remarkable artwork is actually a retouched reproduction print of a vintage travel poster from 1943 when it was commissioned by the Mexican Tourist Office. The poster takes us on a visual journey into the world of the Zapotec people, who call the beautiful region of Oaxaca in southern Mexico their home.
Miguel Covarrubias, renowned for his keen eye for detail and artistic brilliance, poured his heart into this poster, creating a captivating portrayal of Mexico’s rich heritage. At its core, this poster celebrates the vibrant spirit of Mexico. It features three individuals dressed in traditional Zapotec attire, and Covarrubias’ skillful brushwork makes them come alive. They sport feathered headdresses of such grandeur that they seem to defy gravity, serving as symbolic emblems of the deep-rooted traditions passed down through generations.
In a mesmerising display of artistry and agility, the men in the poster are captured mid-performance. They leap gracefully into the air, twirl with elegance, and shake rattles with precision while performing the enchanting Dance of the Feather, also known as “Danza de la Pluma.” This ancient dance, deeply rooted in Zapotec culture, is a mesmerizing blend of storytelling, rhythm, and tradition. The feathered fans they hold are not just accessories; they symbolize a connection between the earthly and spiritual realms, adding layers of significance to the performance.
The Dance of the Feather, or “Danza de la Pluma” in Spanish, is a captivating and culturally rich traditional dance performed in various regions of Mexico, including Oaxaca. Dancers don intricate and vibrant costumes that reflect Mexico’s rich cultural diversity. These costumes often feature feathered headdresses, embroidered garments, and beaded jewelry, showcasing the artistry of indigenous craftsmanship.
The name “Dance of the Feather” is derived from the prominent use of feathers in the performance. Dancers deftly manipulate large feathered fans, infusing their movements with symbolism and mystique, bridging the earthly and spiritual realms.
Yet, the dance is not merely a display of skill and grace; it’s a powerful narrative. It often revolves around historical or mythological stories, frequently recounting the conquest of indigenous peoples by Spanish conquistadors and their subsequent fight for cultural preservation and identity. Through their graceful choreography and symbolic gestures, the performers vividly reenact pivotal moments from this history, conveying resilience and pride.
The choreography is a sight to behold, characterized by grace and synchronization. Dancers execute dramatic leaps, twirls, and gestures, not just to convey emotion but to narrate intricate stories. The feathered fans aren’t just props; they add visual flair and deeper layers of meaning to the performance.
Traditional music, featuring indigenous instruments like drums and flutes, accompanies the Dance of the Feather, setting the rhythm and enhancing the emotional impact. It immerses both performers and spectators in the cultural experience.
This 1943 vintage Oaxaca travel poster by Miguel Covarrubias is a vibrant celebration of Mexico’s beauty and culture. The Dance of the Feather, performed with immense pride and reverence, offers a glimpse into the history and traditions of Mexico’s indigenous peoples, honoring their resilience and cultural heritage.
The poster is bound to have appealed to seasoned travellers and holidaymakers seeking new adventures when it was placed in travel bureaus, airports and hotels in the 1940s. It is sure to captivate your imagination and bring a touch of Mexican flair to your home decor.
Other vintage Mexico travel posters:
While the vintage Mexico Oaxaca Travel Poster featured in this listing is without doubt one our favourites. But it is just one of many such treasures in our Worldwide Travel Mexico collection. Currently, we include more than a dozen remarkable posters from the Mexican Republic. And, we are adding new ones all the time. These posters beautifully capture the enchantment of Mexico, from its breathtaking landscapes to its rich culture and history. We’re thrilled to present half a dozen more that we also love, each possessing its own unique charm,
Our first choice would probably be the Mexico Go Greyhound poster. Designed and produced for North America’s Greyhound Lines intercity bus service The brightly coloured image depicts a wonderful artist rendering of the Mesoamerican step-pyramid Temple of Kukulcán that dominates the North Platform of Chichen Itza. The poster also includes a close-up of Kukulcán, the famous stone sculpture of a feathered serpent that snakes its way down the west face of the northern stairway on the 79 feet high pyramid known as El Castillo. Both elements form part of the impressive ruins of Chichén Itzá, a dazzling ancient city that once centered the Maya empire in Central America.
Chichen Itza’s worldwide notoriety, and historical, cultural, and natural significance ensure that the sacred city is one of the most popular features of many Mexico travel posters. The site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 and is one of the most visited archeological sites in Mexico with around 2.6 million tourists visiting each year. So, we make no apologies for including another one on our list.
Our second choice would be a wonderfully illustrated Air France Mexico poster created by the French artist Serge Proust in the 1950s. It was originally produced and published by airline company to promote direct air flights between Paris and Mexico. In this one, Prout offers us a different view of Kukulcán and his stone Temple in the arid desert sparsely sprinkled with cacti and agave plants. It also features a traditionally dressed Mexican sitting a modern Constellation airplane flying over the ancient city.
Continuing with the Aztec culture, our next poster features the Mexica sun stone and several Aztec gods crafted in a typically Mexican art style. The large stone artifact, also known as the Aztec Calendar Stone and , often described as the pride of Indian culture, is a large stone artifact created by the Aztecs. It features intricate carvings and a central image of the sun god Tonatiuh. The carvings represent aspects of Aztec cosmology, religion, and history, including the 20 days of the Aztec month and the four eras of creation and destruction. It’s a significant symbol of Aztec culture.
The Aztecs aren’t the only indigenous peoples to feature in vintage Mexico travel posters. Our next choice features the Zapotec people of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. The beautiful Oaxaca travel poster from the last century that was painted by Mexican painter and illustrator Miguel Covarrubias. It depicts three Mexicans regailed in traditional costume and crowned with feathered headdresses that are so large, they defy gravity. The men leap, twirl and shake rattles as they perform their captivating rendition of the traditional folk dance Danza de la Pluma or Dance of the Feather in front of local villagers and children.
Next, we’ve selected a 1930s Veracruz Mexico Travel Poster. This delightful artwork, crafted by an anonymous artist, showcases a captivating scene of a flamenco-dancing senorita gracefully moving under the light of a blue moon and the shimmering nighttime stars. While it might appear that the woman is the central focus of the illustration, she is eclipsed by the striking array of native flowers that take center stage. The composition is adorned with an assortment of large, indigenous blooms, including palm leaves, roses, lilies, and marigolds, which together create a vibrant, vivid, and utterly captivating visual spectacle.
For our penultimate choice, we’ve picked a vintage Mexico travel poster that portrays the country as a modern, bustling, almost futuristic metropolis. It was created in 1935 by an unidentified artist who has included several modes of transportation for exploring the country, encompassing cars, railways, and air travel. They have also featured a collection of Mexico’s most iconic and must-visit landmarks, spanning from the ancient Temple of Kukulcán to the modern marvels of the Palacio de Bellas Artes, the Church of Santa Prisca de Taxco, and the imposing Edificio La Nacional.
With so many fabulous Mexico travel posters to choose from and only one place left, it’s been a difficult decision but we’ve opted to feature a great Air France Mexique poster created for Air France. The poster was created by the French artist Guy Georget but carries all the hallmarks of Mexican art. In the brightly coloured print we are treated to the sight of a Mexican musician busking some tunes in the shade of a towering palm tree. We don’t think he’s going to get many tips though, not sitting that far away from town!
These vintage Mexico travel posters not only serve as beautiful decor but also transport you to the enchanting destinations they depict. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or simply dreaming of your next adventure, these posters are a window to the captivating beauty of Mexico’s diverse landscapes and culture.
