Monstruos de papel / Paper Monsters

Abstract

The expression «literatura de cordel» uniquely brings together all that kinds of papers that were sold in the street exposed to the attention of the public hanging from a string. The contemplation of that kind of papers used to be in the square or in a market and the editor used to search an effect showing an artistic engraving on the cover. To achieve this engraving attracted without hesitation to who is closer to the seller's specifications, it demanded the collaboration of an artist who return to images which otherwise expressed the words of the author of the text and it required that artist who figures –animals or human– they were identifiable, a desirable general vision and at the same time seem relatively close. Treatment given by some of these artists to the themes of the «pliegos» came to be peculiar to its form created a «style» and a repertoire with own personality and aesthetics. This article discusses some of the recurring themes that influenced the creation of a common long-haul mentality.