Barcelona, Mequinenza and Saragossa – Hand-Colored Lithograph by Frères, ca.1850

About this sheet

Barcelona, Mequinenza and Saragossa – Traditional Spanish Costumes by Ronarque Frères, Paris, c.1850
This beautifully hand-colored lithograph, titled “Barcelone, Mequinenza, Saragosse,” was created by the Ronarque brothers (Ronarque frères del. et sculp.) and printed in Paris by F. Chardon Aîné, Rue Hautefeuille 30, around 1850. It depicts three figures dressed in traditional Spanish attire from the regions of Catalonia and Aragon, offering a vivid glimpse into 19th-century regional costume and daily life.

The composition captures a lively moment near a village well marked “Calle S. Geronimo.” A young woman in a red headscarf and checkered apron leans over to fill her earthenware jug, while beside her stands a more elegantly dressed woman in a blue gown with a high lace collar and detailed bodice. Opposite them, a man in a rustic brown cloak and blue trousers, wearing traditional Spanish sandals and cap, holds a walking stick as he engages in conversation. A small dog completes the charming genre scene.

The Ronarque brothers were active in Paris in the mid-19th century and are known for their finely executed costume studies and ethnographic scenes. Their prints, often produced for the growing bourgeois fascination with travel and national identity, combined documentary realism with refined artistic style. The hand coloring, executed in soft earth tones and muted pastels, enhances the sense of warmth and atmosphere typical of southern Spain.

Condition report:
Good condition with rich original coloring. Light overall toning to the paper and faint handling marks, consistent with age. The image remains clean, with a well-preserved impression and wide margins.

Framing tips:
This print presents beautifully in a natural oak or gilt frame with a cream or warm beige mat. Floating the print is recommended to reveal the title inscription and printer’s details.

Technique: Hand-colored lithograph
Maker: Ronarque frères (artists and engravers), printed by F. Chardon Aîné, Paris, circa 1850