Description

Francisco Mora frequently depicted Mexican miners, like the one seen here, emphasizing the difficult conditions of their labor. In this print, the backlit figure’s crouched position, narrow eyes, and hollow chest emphasize his exhaustion. The dramatic lighting around the man likewise suggests that his work has created a sense of separation between him and the rest of society. Mora saw printmaking as a way to share social issues, such as the plight of the working poor, with a broader audience and to initiate political change.