Water Vendor
ca. 1850
Francisco Fierro, affectionately known as Pancho Fierro, was a master of capturing the vibrant street life of 19th-century Lima, Peru. In this charming scene, a water vendor rides his trusty donkey, a large wooden barrel strapped securely to the animal's back for delivering fresh water. The vendor, sporting a wide-brimmed straw hat and a blue jacket, looks relaxed while his donkey pauses for a quick snack of leaves. The number '99' in the corner hints that this was part of a massive album documenting local customs, a style known as Costumbrismo that preserved everyday life before photography took over.