After Fossey, Mexican Street Scene with Ranchero, Cavalier, and Poblana Women, 1845, Lithograph

Title: Mexican Street Scene – Ranchero, Cavalier, and Poblana Women, c.1845 : This elegant hand-colored lithograph, titled “Amérique du Nord – Mexique,” is from Le Monde en Estampes: Types et Costumes des Principaux Peuples de l’Univers, published in Paris circa 1845–1850 by Amédée Bedelet. Drawn by Fossey, lithographed by J. Bocquin, and printed by Lemercier, this series exemplifies the high artistic and technical standards of mid-19th-century French ethnographic illustration, capturing the diversity of traditional costumes from around the world. The scene presents a lively street view in Mexico, filled with vivid detail and a sense of local character. At the left, two Poblanas (peasant women from Puebla) are shown in conversation, dressed in colorful skirts trimmed with red and yellow ribbons, and blouses with lace collars and embroidery. Their confident stances and expressive gestures highlight the importance of traditional female dress in Mexican identity. At the center stands a Ranchero (farmer) in typical 19th-century attire—wide-brimmed hat, embroidered trousers, boots, and a striped poncho draped over one shoulder—engaging in conversation with one of the women. Beside him rides a Cavalier Mexicain in elegant military-inspired costume, his green cloak edged with gold, accompanied by a Dame Mexicaine seated behind him on horseback, elegantly dressed and holding a fan, symbolizing the urban elite of colonial heritage. To the right, a Femme et enfant de Terra Caliente (woman and child from the tropical lowlands) adds contrast to the composition. Barefoot and dressed in simple white drapery, the woman carries a clay vessel on her head, while her child, wearing bright yellow shorts, gazes toward the mounted figures—a subtle commentary on class and regional distinctions within Mexico’s diverse society. The architecture in the background, with its adobe walls and shaded arcades, evokes a warm colonial setting typical of Mexican towns. The color palette—dominated by ochres, greens, and soft earth tones—harmonizes the composition, while Lemercier’s refined lithographic technique gives texture and depth to the fabrics and postures. This print reflects the fascination of 19th-century Europeans with the cultural variety of Latin America, combining documentary interest with Romantic idealization. It offers a charming glimpse of Mexico’s regional costumes and social life during the early post-independence period. Condition report: Excellent impression with rich original coloring. Minor foxing in the margins, image area fresh and clean. Wide borders intact. Framing tips: A cream or sand-colored mat and a walnut or gold-toned frame complement the warm hues of this composition. A narrow red or green inner mat can emphasize the colorful costumes of the Mexican figures. Technique: Hand-colored lithograph Maker: J. Bocquin after Fossey, printed by Lemercier, Paris, circa 1845