Description
This original Mardi Gras New Orleans 1978 Festival Poster by Maria Laredo — Original Serigraph captures the powerful visual tradition of Mardi Gras Indians, presenting a dressed-up figure in an American Indian-inspired costume complete with full headgear. The imagery is bold and commanding, with intricate decoration extending through the costume details—most notably, Indian ornamentation on the footwear. The central character is holding a shield decorated with a horse, emphasizing the theme of strength, identity, and pageantry that defines Mardi Gras Indian parades.
The design appears to connect to the larger Mardi Gras Indian community and leadership—specifically the idea of a Big Chief leading his Congo Nation group—alongside the parade culture and Zulu tradition referenced with these Mardi Gras Indian presentations. In the historical context of Mardi Gras jazz posters, many originals were lost or destroyed over time, including in the aftermath of Katrina, which makes surviving examples in great shape especially difficult to find today. This poster stands out as one of those hard-to-locate originals, with the majority of posters from the run often missing, making a well-preserved survivor particularly valuable for collectors.
Artist Maria Laredo is credited here, with the poster dated 1978 and presented as a serigraph. The work is signed and numbered, adding to its collector appeal and confirming its status as a true vintage print created for the festival setting. As a linen-backed, conservation-mounted piece, it’s well suited for display and long-term preservation within a serious Mardi Gras and vintage poster collection.
Condition
This poster is very fine collector condition, conservation mounted and linen backed, and is presented as being in excellent condition. It has been described as having minor age-related wear appropriate for a vintage poster of this era.
Authentication
Includes a Free Certificate of Authenticity with the artwork.
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