Plate 13: a group of people outdoors including possibly musicians, from the series of customs and pastimes of the Spanish people 1850

Francisco Lameyer y Berenguer created this print, one of a series on the customs and pastimes of the Spanish people, in the mid-19th century. Lameyer’s scene shows a boisterous company, perhaps musicians among them, gathered outdoors. The image provides insight into the cultural life of Spain at that time, depicting what appears to be a celebration or gathering in a rural setting. Consider how the choice of subject matter reflects the artist's intention to document and share aspects of Spanish culture with a wider audience. How does the print contribute to our understanding of social interactions and leisure activities in 19th-century Spain? To understand the history of this image, researchers might look into popular entertainments in Spain, the artist’s biography, and the cultural policies of the Spanish state at that time. Such a study highlights the ways that cultural artifacts can be used to interpret a society's values.