Views of America · 19th century
€ 220
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Very good, with scattered foxing in the margins and mild toning consistent with age. The engraved scene is crisp and clear. Blank verso. Please examine the image carefully.
Antique Engraving of Asunción, Market Square, 1867
Engraving titled Place du Marché, à l’Assomption, published in 1867. The scene depicts the bustling market square of Asunción, capital of Paraguay, in the mid-19th century. In the foreground, local figures in traditional dress are shown on horseback and on foot, mingling among makeshift stalls covered with cloth awnings. A variety of goods, animals, and produce are visible, while a dog moves among the crowd. Beyond, the expansive plaza is filled with marketgoers, framed by long arcaded buildings and the distant line of the city and surrounding landscape.
Engraved by Aubert and printed by Ch. Chardon, Paris, this image was part of a European-published series of Latin American city views. It provides a rare and vivid depiction of Paraguayan daily life during the period, when Asunción was emerging as an important regional capital despite the upheavals of the Paraguayan War (1864–1870). Such engravings were prized for combining documentary precision with picturesque detail, catering to European interest in the New World.
Condition: Very good, with scattered foxing in the margins and mild toning consistent with age. The engraved scene is crisp and clear. Blank verso. Please examine the image carefully.
Framing tips: A wide ivory or cream mat will highlight the rich details of the busy marketplace. A dark wood frame provides a scholarly tone, while a gilt frame will add elegance and draw attention to the engraving’s historical subject.
Technique: Engraving on paper
Maker: Engraved by Aubert, printed by Ch. Chardon, Paris, 1867
