La Valentina: A Lyrical Surrealist Print by José Luis Calzada

34.25"H x 26.25"W

In La Valentina (2018), distinguished contemporary Mexican artist José Luis Calzada transforms the passion of the iconic Revolutionary corrido into a visual ballad, utilizing his signature style of Magical Realism to bridge the gap between folklore and modernity. This limited edition print (15/30) features the song’s lyrics as a typographic canopy hovering above a surrealist dreamscape, where a revolutionary soldier and an Adelita figure are rendered with Calzada’s characteristic fragmented geometry and intricate, monochromatic linework. Known for deconstructing Mexican identity through a contemporary lens, the artist uses symbolic elements—like the semi-transparent horse and the floating eye—to visualize the song's themes of fatalistic devotion and cultural pride ("If I am to be killed tomorrow, let them kill me at once"). The artwork is housed in a custom textured frame with a vivid red accent liner that echoes the vitality of the narrative; while the frame shows some wear, the piece remains in fantastic condition, standing as a striking testament to Calzada's ability to harmonize traditional heritage with avant-garde draftsmanship.

Mexico

2018