A group of country people gathered by a water trough 1870

Joaquín Agrasot painted “A group of country people gathered by a water trough” with watercolor, but the exact date is unknown. Agrasot was a 19th century Spanish artist known for his costumbrista scenes. Here, the artist depicts a moment of daily life, seemingly without judgment, and yet, it invites us to consider the social dynamics at play. The scene shows figures of different ages and genders gathered around the trough. Women, adorned in traditional garments, seem to be drawing water and chatting. A man drinks directly from the trough. A woman is seated regally on a donkey, with a man standing beside her, perhaps waiting. Agrasot's composition invites reflection on how these communal spaces serve as meeting points and gendered labor. The details of dress and activity offer an intimate glimpse into the lives of the working class, and the intersection of tradition and modernity in 19th-century Spain. It offers a moment to consider identity, community, and the quiet narratives embedded in everyday life.