Two woman wearing the saya viewed in profile, from a group of drawings depicting Peruvian dress 1843 - 1853

This watercolour on paper, by Francisco Fierro, presents two women in profile, adorned in the saya, a traditional Peruvian garment. The composition is strikingly simple, focusing on the interplay between the saya's bold colours and geometric forms. Notice how Fierro uses vertical lines to create volume in the skirts, contrasting with the smooth, dark shawls that frame the women’s faces. The larger figure is dressed in a vibrant blue skirt, its pleats meticulously rendered to convey texture and depth. The artist’s rendering is less about a realistic depiction, and more about capturing the essence of a cultural symbol. Fierro’s choice of medium—watercolour—lends a translucent quality to the clothing, enhancing the visual impact of their stark yet harmonious contrast. The saya becomes not just clothing but a signifier of identity, class, and cultural change in 19th-century Peru. The visual structure of the painting serves as a powerful statement about cultural identity during a period of social transformation.