Skip to main content
Collections Menu
91. Life’s Gifts. For the persevering there’s the forge;/ For the ambitious, fate; For cultured people, water;/ And for the fools, wine.
91. Life’s Gifts. For the persevering there’s the forge;/ For the ambitious, fate; For cultured people, water;/ And for the fools, wine.

91. Life’s Gifts. For the persevering there’s the forge;/ For the ambitious, fate; For cultured people, water;/ And for the fools, wine.

Alternate Titles
  • 100 Original Woodcuts by Posada
Artist (Mexican, 1852 - 1913)
Date1947
ClassificationsPrint
MediumColor woodcut
DimensionsImage area: 3 3/16 x 2 3/4 in. (8.1 x 7 cm) Sheet: 9 3/16 x 6 5/16 in. (23.3 x 16 cm)
Credit LineGift of Jack Lord
Object number1973.23.91
66. Fate. Those who make small use of life/ Live a dog’s life;/ But some are born under a lucky star,/ And others have fate against them.
66. Fate. Those who make small use of life/ Live a dog’s life;/ But some are born under a lucky star,/ And others have fate against them.
José Guadalupe Posada
1947
20. The Petulant Dolphin. Said a dolphin, criticized,/ “Do you read music?—/ “Nor do I./ “As David said:/ “There’s your harp,/ “Play it yourself!”
20. The Petulant Dolphin. Said a dolphin, criticized,/ “Do you read music?—/ “Nor do I./ “As David said:/ “There’s your harp,/ “Play it yourself!”
José Guadalupe Posada
1947
26. The Power of Verse. This happened— it is true— /Yet no one will believe it;/ A fool began to read/ My verses at a funeral—/ And the Living fell down dead,/ And the Dead began to run!
26. The Power of Verse. This happened— it is true— /Yet no one will believe it;/ A fool began to read/ My verses at a funeral—/ And the Living fell down dead,/ And the Dead began to run!
José Guadalupe Posada
1947
43. The Foolish Middle Years. For a frivolous woman/ My soul leaps into the unknown./ “Shut that gaping mouth, old fool,/ “You no longer signify.”
43. The Foolish Middle Years. For a frivolous woman/ My soul leaps into the unknown./ “Shut that gaping mouth, old fool,/ “You no longer signify.”
José Guadalupe Posada
1947
28. Drunkard. The fault was cruel Destiny’s,/ Which willed me such a name /They said: “Go forth, Albino” /And to the wine I went.
28. Drunkard. The fault was cruel Destiny’s,/ Which willed me such a name /They said: “Go forth, Albino” /And to the wine I went.
José Guadalupe Posada
1947
87. Drunkard. They say that this sad life/ Is lived as a bitter cup./ Is it a bitter drink/ To pass life “in your cups”?
87. Drunkard. They say that this sad life/ Is lived as a bitter cup./ Is it a bitter drink/ To pass life “in your cups”?
José Guadalupe Posada
1947
18. Conundrum of the Chair. A chair like this/ People would not fight over./ Which chair is it that causes struggle?/ Why, Man! The Presidential one!
18. Conundrum of the Chair. A chair like this/ People would not fight over./ Which chair is it that causes struggle?/ Why, Man! The Presidential one!
José Guadalupe Posada
1947
30. Hallowe’en Advice. Put no trust in people,/ They are treacherous in truth./ Well, me, I like the mad-caps/ They do not steal my very teeth!
30. Hallowe’en Advice. Put no trust in people,/ They are treacherous in truth./ Well, me, I like the mad-caps/ They do not steal my very teeth!
José Guadalupe Posada
1947
84. Pretentious Coquette. The pretentious coquette/ Puts all she has in clothes./ In her Sunday best she’s off/ To the town square to glitter./ There she also helps the petty thieves/ Make simpletons of people./ Taking advantage of the shrubbery,/ They rob them of their money,/ Giving them their just desserts.
84. Pretentious Coquette. The pretentious coquette/ Puts all she has in clothes./ In her Sunday best she’s off/ To the town square to glitter./ There she also helps the petty thieves/ Make simpletons of people./ Taking advantage of the shrubbery,/ They rob them of their money,/ Giving them their just desserts.
José Guadalupe Posada
1947
98. Follower of the Emperor Maximilian. With Mejía and Miramón,/ I followed Maximilian;/ But the valiant Mexican people / Sent us with him to the grave.
98. Follower of the Emperor Maximilian. With Mejía and Miramón,/ I followed Maximilian;/ But the valiant Mexican people / Sent us with him to the grave.
José Guadalupe Posada
1947
99. Obrero, culto, bribón,/ A la misma tabla ván… (Ni está todos los que son/ Ni son todos los que están) (99. Equals. Workman, scholar, scoundrel,/ On the same slab end;/ And all who should be are not there,/ Nor are people really what they would appear.)
99. Obrero, culto, bribón,/ A la misma tabla ván… (Ni está todos los que son/ Ni son todos los que están) (99. Equals. Workman, scholar, scoundrel,/ On the same slab end;/ And all who should be are not there,/ Nor are people really what they would appear.)
José Guadalupe Posada
1947
69. Yo por el pueblo trabajo,/ Viva la igualdad, ¡que viva!/ La igualdad…con los de arriba,/ Pero no con los de abajos. (69. Public Servant. I work for the people!/ Long live equality! Viva!/ Equality— with those who are above me,/ Never with those below.)
69. Yo por el pueblo trabajo,/ Viva la igualdad, ¡que viva!/ La igualdad…con los de arriba,/ Pero no con los de abajos. (69. Public Servant. I work for the people!/ Long live equality! Viva!/ Equality— with those who are above me,/ Never with those below.)
José Guadalupe Posada
1947