Figures & Portraits · 19th century
€ 280
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Excellent impression with vivid original colors. Some faint age toning near the upper edge and minimal scattered foxing typical of the period, well away from the image. Wide margins preserved.
Man from the Environs of Granada – Hand-Colored Lithograph, Espagne et Portugal No.6, c.1845
This finely detailed hand-colored lithograph, titled Environs de Grenade, belongs to the Espagne et Portugal series from the Musée Cosmopolite, published in Paris by the Maison Aubert around 1845. The print illustrates a man from the countryside surrounding Granada, one of Andalusia’s most picturesque and historic regions. Engraved and printed by Moine, this plate exemplifies the refined lithographic craftsmanship and ethnographic interest that characterized mid-19th-century French costume publications.
The figure is shown in traditional Andalusian attire — a richly embroidered short jacket, white shirt, and knee-length breeches tied with ribbons below the knee. A wide red sash wraps around his waist, and a flat-brimmed hat adorned with a pompom completes his ensemble. The man’s posture, relaxed yet proud, evokes the confident spirit of southern Spain. He carries a staff over his shoulder, suggesting his role as a herdsman or traveler.
Granada, with its blend of Moorish, Christian, and rural traditions, inspired numerous artists during this period. The *Musée Cosmopolite* series sought to capture such diversity, documenting local and regional costumes across Europe and its territories. The hand-coloring in this print is carefully applied, highlighting the warmth of the Andalusian palette — deep reds, browns, and blacks against a softly toned background. Each lithograph in the series was designed not only for aesthetic enjoyment but also as a valuable record of European cultural heritage before industrialization altered regional dress.
Condition report:
Excellent impression with vivid original colors. Some faint age toning near the upper edge and minimal scattered foxing typical of the period, well away from the image. Wide margins preserved.
Framing tips:
This elegant Spanish costume print pairs beautifully with a warm-toned mat and a dark wooden or gilt frame. Ideal when displayed alongside other Iberian plates from the Espagne et Portugal collection or in a set of 19th-century European costume prints.
Technique: Hand-colored lithograph
Maker: Moine Imp., after an anonymous artist; published by Maison Aubert, Paris, c.1845
