A man riding a mule, his whip raised, another mule loaded with grass alongside, from a group of drawings depicting Peruvian dress 1843 - 1853

Francisco Fierro created this watercolour drawing of Peruvian life in the 19th century. A commanding diagonal line is formed by the man on a mule, his whip raised, and another mule heavily laden with grass. The eye is drawn from the earth-toned ground up towards the light, open sky, guided by the rhythmic rise of the animals and the man's gesture. Fierro uses colour sparingly but effectively. The bright blue trousers of the rider pop against the muted greys and browns of the animals and landscape, drawing attention to his figure. The mass of green grass obscures the second mule, creating a visual tension between the visible and the hidden. The artist skillfully directs our gaze, creating a visual hierarchy that reflects social structures. The act of depicting becomes a form of interpretation, highlighting the artist's role in shaping our understanding of cultural identity. As we engage with this artwork, we participate in a process of seeing and interpreting.