---
title: Skeletons (Calaveras) Riding Bicycles
author: José Guadalupe Posada
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21125/skeletons-calaveras-riding-bicycles/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2025-09-29
---
# Skeletons (Calaveras) Riding Bicycles
_Authored by José Guadalupe Posada_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/21125.jpg)
## Image Caption
Skeletons riding bicycles, type-[metal](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/metal/) engraving by José Guadalupe Posada, c. 1891.
José Guadalupe Posada (1852-1913) was a Mexican illustrator best known for his satirical depictions of skeletons (*calaveras*), which often appeared in political broadsides. Posada's work would only grow in prominence after his passing, as his *calaveras* came to be associated with the iconography of the [Day of the Dead](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2807/day-of-the-dead/) (*Día de los Muertos*), a widely observed festival in Mexico in which celebrants commemorate the departed.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Posada, J. G. (2025, September 29). Skeletons (Calaveras) Riding Bicycles. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Posada, José Guadalupe. "Skeletons (Calaveras) Riding Bicycles." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 29, 2025. .
### MLA
Posada, José Guadalupe. "Skeletons (Calaveras) Riding Bicycles." *World History Encyclopedia*, 29 Sep 2025, .
## License & Copyright
© [Metropolitan Museum of Art](http://metmuseum.org/), NY. As part of the [Met's Open Access policy](https://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-met/policies-and-documents/open-access), the Metropolitan Museum of Art has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this dataset. [Original image](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/372097) by [**José Guadalupe Posada**](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/372097). Submitted by [Zachary Kay](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/zacharykay/ "User Page: Zachary Kay"), published on 29 September 2025. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.