About this sheet
Fascinating set of three original antique hand-colored engravings depicting people and everyday life in and around Lima, Peru, published in Paris circa 1850 as part of the series “Les peuples peints par leurs Costumes.”
The set comprises:
1. Esclave des Environs de Lima (Pérou) – A historical depiction of an enslaved man from the surroundings of Lima, shown in profile wearing a patterned poncho and head covering. The original French title reflects the terminology and social conditions of the period.
2. Aguador (Lima) – A striking occupational portrait of a water carrier riding a donkey and transporting two large barrels. Water carriers were an important feature of everyday urban life before the development of modern municipal water systems.
3. Nègre – Costumes qui Vieillit (Lima) – A male figure from Lima shown in an unusually tall hat and traditional dress. The original printed title uses terminology characteristic of the mid-19th century that is now considered outdated and offensive; it is retained here only as the historical title of the work.
Together, the three engravings provide an unusual visual record of people, occupations, dress and social history in mid-19th-century Peru. They are especially interesting as documents of European ethnographic representation of South America during this period.
The three prints originate from the same publication and share matching dimensions, typography and hand coloring, making them a particularly coherent group for display.
SUBJECT: Peru, Lima, South America, Peruvian People, Water Carrier, Aguador, Historical Costume, Occupational Costume, Social History, Ethnography
DATE: Circa 1850
ORIGIN: Paris, France
MEDIUM: Hand-colored engravings on paper
STYLE: Romantic / Ethnographic
CONDITION: Good antique condition with visible age-related foxing, spotting and toning. Foxing varies between the sheets and is more pronounced in some areas and margins. Minor marginal wear and traces from former binding are present. Please study the photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.
Original antique prints, not modern reproductions.
DIMENSIONS: Three individual sheets; dimensions available on request.
SOLD: As a set of three, unframed. Any framed or interior images shown are for presentation and inspiration only.
KEYWORDS: Antique Peru prints, antique Lima prints, Peru costume engravings, Lima Peru, Peruvian costume, Peruvian people, South American costume, South America prints, Aguador Lima, water carrier Lima, Lima water carrier, 19th century Peru, historical Lima, Peruvian social history, slavery in Peru, historical slavery print, ethnographic prints, ethnographic engravings, historical costume, occupational prints, traditional dress, hand-colored engravings, hand-colored prints, French engravings, Paris circa 1850, Romantic period, Latin America prints, antique Latin American art, historical South America, set of three antique prints.
