Plate 3: a group street musicians, from the series of customs and pastimes of the Spanish people 1850

Francisco Lameyer y Berenguer made this print, one of a series on Spanish customs, using etching. We see a boisterous scene of street musicians surrounded by onlookers. As the title suggests, Lameyer was interested in representing the customs and pastimes of the Spanish people. But what does this image tell us about the social conditions of 19th-century Spain? The musicians are the clear focus, their faces full of life. But consider, too, the diverse crowd. Lameyer has filled the scene with children and adults, of all ages. It speaks to the communal nature of street performance, the way it can bring people together. The print could be seen as a romanticized view of Spanish folk culture. But it might also reflect the social realities of the time, perhaps hinting at the economic hardships that pushed many into street performance. As historians, we can turn to sources like period newspapers, photographs, and social commentaries to understand the nuances of everyday life in 19th-century Spain. This gives us a richer appreciation of the image.