Broadside with 48 scenes telling the story of the chicken (social advancement and decline) 1855 - 1865

This broadside, made in Spain by Juan Llorens in the 1800s, tells the story of a chicken through 48 small scenes. It is a social commentary, a visual narrative reflecting the era's concerns about social mobility and status. This "social chicken" rises and falls, experiencing different layers of society. The images create meaning through recognizable cultural references, such as clothing, architecture, and modes of transport. Spain in the 19th century was a society undergoing rapid change, with industrialization, urbanization, and a shifting social order. The artist seems to be commenting on these changes, exploring the aspirations, anxieties, and absurdities of a society obsessed with climbing the social ladder. Historians delve into popular culture using resources like newspapers, prints, and ephemera. Only by understanding the specific social and institutional context can we appreciate the art’s original meaning and purpose.