Guatemala, Easter Procession

Max Pollak

Pollak traveled extensively through Mesoamerica and created a number of color aquatints based on his observations. This depicts an Easter Processional in Guatemala, around 1950. Pollak draws the figures of the image loosely, creating an active event, punctuated with bright color. Easter Processionals take place throughout the world, usually throughout the Holy Week, ending on Easter Sunday. Wikipedia describes it as:

"a public ritual march of clergy and penitents which takes place during Holy Week in countries which have a Roman Catholic culture. Various images of the saints, especially the Virgin Mary, and most importantly the image of the crucified Christ are carried aloft by foot as a penance; acts of mortification are carried out, traditional hymns and chants are sung (except during the silent processions of Good Friday) and in many penitential orders, the faces of the penitents are covered by elaborate veils, as a way of hiding one's identity in order to not ostentatiously draw attention to oneself while performing the penance.

Crosses and biers of Catholic holy images are carried surrounded by flowers and offerings of candles, usually from one parish church to another lead by the clergy, monastic orders, or heads of the penitential orders."