CARNAVAL BARCELONA 1982 POSTER

This poster captures perfectly the exuberance and spirit of Carnaval Barcelona, the annual city-wide celebration preceding the start of the Lenten Season in Spain.  With costumes, music and parades, revelers party with abandon. 

Francisco Mariscal, who drew this poster promoting the 1982 Barcelona Carnaval, shows us one of these revelers, likely a man (judging from the stubble on his face) but dressed up as a comically full-figured woman, who is dancing his way through the day and into the night.  His lopsided eyes suggest that he may be a bit drunk, or maybe a lot drunk, but that isn’t stopping him from feeling the beat.  The comic-like portrayal of the reveler is a reflection of Mariscal’s earlier work drawing comics.  The vibrant colors he uses animate the poster and make the celebration come alive for the viewer. This joyous poster makes us want to stop and dance too, and we can all use a little of that vibe these days.

Francisco Mariscal (b. 1950) is a Spanish artist and designer whose work has ranged from painting, sculpting and drawing comics to working in interior design and landscaping.  Since 1970, he has lived and worked in Barcelona. 

Condition: A