A butcher riding a donkey
ca. 1848
Francisco "Pancho" Fierro was a master of capturing everyday life in 19th-century Lima, Peru, and this piece is a perfect example of his *costumbrismo* style. Here, we see a butcher, or *carnicero* as labeled at the bottom, casually riding his white donkey while transporting a freshly slaughtered bull carcass draped over the side. The bright yellow poncho contrasts sharply with the bloody red hide, showing Fierro's knack for mixing the mundane with vivid, almost gritty realism. These types of illustrations were incredibly popular at the time, serving as visual postcards of Peruvian culture for locals and foreigners alike.
- Technique
- Watercolor