Los Hermanos Mayo: Photographing Exile

Abstract

The Hermanos Mayo know what it means to have to emigrate. Since 1939, this collective of photojournalists has played a pivotal role in redefining Mexico's graphic reportage, but their story began in a Spain about to explode into one of the modern world's great conflagrations: the Spanish Civil War. There, on the eve of so many hopes and such disappointment, the Mayo Brothers established their link with the «underdogs» which has lasted to the present day. The pseudonym «Mayo,» which the five «brothers»-Francisco (Paco), Faustino, Julio, Cándido, and Pablo--have used is a nombre de guerra which reflects their commitment to the working class; it was also a result of the difficulties which can accompany such an allegiance.