Alguacil of the Bullring – Hand-Colored Lithograph, Espagne & Portugal, ca.1845
€ 340
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1845
Mapmaker / artist
Ph. Blanchard sc. after J. E. Dura; printed by Moine for Maison Aubert, Paris, c.1845
Technique
Hand-colored lithograph
Sheet size
35 × 26 cm (13.8 × 10.2 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-14149-12
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Excellent impression with strong, original hand-coloring. Subtle toning near the upper edge and light scattered foxing in the margins, well outside the image area. Wide original margins preserved, printed on quality wove paper.
About this sheet
Alguacil of the Bullring – Hand-Colored Lithograph, Espagne & Portugal No. 24, c.1845
This striking 19th-century hand-colored lithograph titled Alguacil de la Place des Taureaux (Alguacil of the Bullring) forms plate No. 24 of the Espagne & Portugal series from the celebrated Musée de Costumes, published in Paris around 1845 by the Maison Aubert. The image was engraved by Ph. Blanchard after a design by J. E. Dura, with lithographic printing executed by Moine, Rue St. Marc, Paris.
The print depicts an 'alguacil', an official of the bullring, dressed in the traditional Spanish costume associated with 18th- and 19th-century bullfighting ceremonies. Wearing a dark velvet suit with a short cape, high boots, and a wide-brimmed hat adorned with colorful feathers, the alguacil exudes both elegance and authority. He carries a slender staff — the 'vara de mando' — symbolizing his position as a ceremonial marshal responsible for maintaining order in the bullring and signaling the beginning of the spectacle. The outfit reflects the influence of Spanish noble attire, rooted in Renaissance fashion, and later adapted for use in the 'corrida'.
This plate captures the refined detail and precision characteristic of the Musée de Costumes series, which sought to document European regional and occupational dress through art and ethnography. The careful hand-coloring enhances the rich textures of the dark fabrics, the sheen of the boots, and the vivid tones of the hat’s plumes. The Espagne & Portugal collection was among the most admired of the series, offering a vibrant portrayal of Iberian culture, from peasants and smugglers to dancers and officials like this alguacil.
Condition report: Excellent impression with strong, original hand-coloring. Subtle toning near the upper edge and light scattered foxing in the margins, well outside the image area. Wide original margins preserved, printed on quality wove paper.
Framing tips: This elegant Spanish subject would pair beautifully with a deep walnut or black frame and a cream or light ochre mat. The dark tones of the costume and the vivid hat plumes are accentuated when displayed with other Iberian costume prints or in a thematic grouping of 19th-century European attire.
