One of Rafael Tufiño’s most iconic themes is plena, the Afro-Puerto Rican musical tradition known as “the newspaper of the people.” In this poster, created for an educational film, Tufiño portrays a plena musician with dynamic color blocking and bold silhouettes that echo the rhythm and movement of the music itself. Throughout his career, Tufiño helped visually codify plena, bomba, and jíbaro imagery as central symbols of Puerto Rican identity.
The smaller vignettes surrounding the central figure depict scenes from everyday Puerto Rican life—workers, carnival performers, and popular characters—capturing plena’s storytelling nature. Posters like this were instrumental in promoting cultural pride, especially in the 1950s–70s, when Puerto Rico was defining its modern identity. This piece remains one of Tufiño’s most celebrated celebrations of Afro-Puerto Rican heritage.
One of Rafael Tufiño’s most iconic themes is plena, the Afro-Puerto Rican musical tradition known as “the newspaper of the people.” In this poster, created for an educational film, Tufiño portrays a plena musician with dynamic color blocking and bold silhouettes that echo the rhythm and movement of the music itself. Throughout his career, Tufiño helped visually codify plena, bomba, and jíbaro imagery as central symbols of Puerto Rican identity.
The smaller vignettes surrounding the central figure depict scenes from everyday Puerto Rican life—workers, carnival performers, and popular characters—capturing plena’s storytelling nature. Posters like this were instrumental in promoting cultural pride, especially in the 1950s–70s, when Puerto Rico was defining its modern identity. This piece remains one of Tufiño’s most celebrated celebrations of Afro-Puerto Rican heritage.
!! Print has wrinkles and slight tropical foxing patina !!
Authenticity: Signed
Condition: 4/5
Career: Blue Chip Artist
Print Age: 69
Size: 19 x 29 inches
Rarity: Unnumbered
Print is shipped in flat packaging and comes with Provenance card. Free Shipping
