El Velorio

Gustave Baumann

This impression is from the first of two editions Baumann did of this subject and is the one illustrated in the catalogue raisonné. It was printed in five colors in 1927. Gala Chamberlain comments about this printing on page 337 of "In a Modern Rendering...":

"Opaquely printed inks add to the stillness and silence of the scene. An impression from the Baumann estate (this impression)... has the addition of a dark blue arched alcove at the left of the image, and the high window has a dark sash."

Baumann was fascinated by the various cultures in the southwest and their religious practices. In 'El Velorio' he depicts a Spanish woman with head covered in reverence before a dozen or so candles lit for the soul of the dead.

In other woodcuts relating to ceremonials or religions, he depicted a Penitente ceremony, Spanish Santos, and Hopi Kachinas.