About this sheet
An original hand-colored lithograph depicting two women from the Lima region of Peru, published circa 1841 and drawn by the French artist Pierre Blanchard (1793–1864). This elegant ethnographic plate presents a "Marchande de Fromages de Lima" (Cheese Seller of Lima) alongside an "Indienne des environs de Lima" (Woman from the Environs of Lima), offering a fascinating glimpse into daily life and traditional dress in nineteenth-century Peru.
The composition combines documentary observation with decorative appeal. On the left, a Lima cheese seller is shown carrying her wares while dressed in a striking blue garment accented by a dark overskirt and colorful woven belt. Opposite her stands a woman from the countryside surrounding Lima, wearing a similarly vivid blue dress, broad-brimmed hat, and draped shawl. The carefully observed details of costume, posture, and accessories provide valuable insight into regional dress traditions during the early nineteenth century.
Pierre Blanchard was one of the foremost French illustrators of travel and ethnographic subjects. His work accompanied numerous voyages and geographical publications, helping European audiences visualize distant cultures during a period of expanding exploration and scientific inquiry. His illustrations are admired for their accuracy, elegance, and strong sense of character.
The generous folio format and extensive margins are characteristic of luxury French travel publications of the period. The restrained composition directs attention to the figures themselves, allowing the vivid original hand-coloring to stand out against the large cream background. This creates a remarkably modern visual effect despite the print's nineteenth-century origin.
Today, prints depicting traditional Peruvian costume and everyday occupations are increasingly sought after by collectors of South American history, ethnographic art, travel literature, and decorative works on paper. The combination of regional costume, vibrant hand-coloring, and a subject rooted in daily life gives this engraving broad appeal to both collectors and interior designers.
This is an original nineteenth-century hand-colored lithograph, not a later reproduction. Sold unframed.
Condition Report:
Good condition consistent with age. Light age toning throughout and scattered foxing, primarily visible in the margins. Minor handling wear at the sheet edges. Original hand-coloring remains bright and attractive. Wide original margins preserved. Please review all photographs carefully.
Framing Tips:
This print displays exceptionally well in a dark ebonized frame with a fine gilt inner bead and a wide ivory museum-quality mat. The strong blue, pink, and yellow costume colors are beautifully enhanced by darker framing choices. Suitable for traditional, contemporary, colonial-inspired, and South American-themed interiors.
Please note that any framed or room-view images are provided for visualization purposes only. The print is sold unframed, and framed examples may not be shown to exact scale.
Technique: Lithograph with Original Hand Coloring
Maker: Pierre Blanchard (1793–1864), France, circa 1841.
