El cancionero popular, hoja num. 4 (The Popular Songbook, Sheet No. 4) n.d.

This is Sheet Number 4 of "The Popular Songbook," printed in Mexico by Manuel Manilla in the late nineteenth century. These broadsides, cheaply printed and widely distributed, served as a crucial medium for popular culture at the time. The illustration at the top left depicts a bullfight. A fallen banderillero is being attacked by the bull. Bullfighting was both a popular spectacle and a contested tradition. Some saw it as a symbol of Mexican identity and bravery, others viewed it as a cruel and outdated practice, a debate which continues today. The lyrics below tell the story of the banderillero's tragic death. On the right of the broadside, other popular songs are recorded for posterity. Historians look at popular songbooks like this to understand the values, beliefs, and entertainment of everyday people. The images and lyrics provide a snapshot of Mexican society at a particular moment in time. We can learn more about the socio-political context through the archives of local printing houses.