The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of April 20, 2024
Matachines, Central Mexico
1973, printed 2014
(American, 1942-)
Image: 31.7 x 25 cm (12 1/2 x 9 13/16 in.); Paper: 35.4 x 27.7 cm (13 15/16 x 10 7/8 in.)
Gift of Holly and James Bogin 2017.303
Location: not on view
Did You Know?
Originating in Europe in the 17th century, matachine originally meant a sword dance performed in elaborate costumes.Description
This surreal image shows a group of Mexican matachines, performers who enact ritual dances usually intended to worship Mary, a saint, Christ, or the Holy Trinity. It was taken by Lyon on one of the many journeys he has made to Mexico. Matachines are found in both North and South American Indigenous cultures.- Julie Mehretu: Portals (FRONT International: Oh, Gods of Dust and Rainbows). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (July 16-November 13, 2022).
- {{cite web|title=Matachines, Central Mexico|url=false|author=Danny Lyon|year=1973, printed 2014|access-date=20 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2017.303