Fiesta (Diptych)

Luis Jimenez

This image is a pair of lithographs, a diptych, which are offered as a single print. Luis Jimenez is best known for his large polychrome, fiberglass sculptures based on Hispanic and southwestern themes. Luis Jimenez died in his studio in Hondo, New Mexico in 2006 when a portion a large commissioned sculpture for the Denver airport fell on him.

This diptych was published and printed by Ernesto Desoto at the Desoto Workshop in San Francisco in 1985 and depicts the dance "Jababe Tapatio" (known internationally as the 'Mexican Hat Dance').

The earliest evidence of the dance comes from the late 18th century. It was originally danced by female couples in order to avoid the disapproval of the church. Shortly before the Mexican War of Indpendence, mixed couples began to perform it, with a public performance at the Coliseo Theater in 1790 in Mexico City.

Shortly after that performance, The jarabe was banned by colonial and religious authorities as it was considered to be morally offensive and a challenge to Spain's control over the territory. However, this only served to make the dance more popular as a form of protest and rebellion, with people holding illegal dances in public squares and neighborhood festivals.

Guadalajara music professor Jesus Gonzales Rubio composed a standard melody for it as a symbol of national unity, leading the dance to become the "national dance" of Mexico and the melody to gain wide popular recognition.