Broadside with 48 allegorical figures pertaining to the sun and the moon 1855 - 1865

This broadside, created by Juan Llorens in Barcelona sometime in the 1800s, is a fascinating window into the cultural symbols and social values of the period. The 48 allegorical figures, arranged in a grid, offer a glimpse into the artist's world. The figures, related to the sun and the moon, range from mythological creatures to scenes of daily life. What I find interesting is how these images reflect the intersection of folklore and social hierarchy. We see depictions of people from different walks of life, rendered with a sense of the era's class consciousness. Notice, for instance, images 45 and 46 where the artist portrays people with obvious differences in class and race. Llorens asks us to consider our place within this celestial and earthly order. This broadside captures a specific cultural moment, inviting us to reflect on the enduring themes of identity, status, and our relationship to the cosmos.