Waterdrager met ezel in Córdoba c. 1857 - 1880

Juan Laurent produced this photograph of a water carrier with a donkey in Córdoba, Spain, in the 19th century. The image presents us with more than just a candid street scene; it offers insight into the social and economic structures of the time. Photography during this period often focused on capturing types, recording what were seen as picturesque aspects of everyday life. This image is rich in cultural references and historical associations. Water carriers were a common sight in Spanish cities, providing a vital service in times before modern plumbing. The work was physically demanding and often associated with the lower classes. By documenting such scenes, photographers like Laurent contributed to a visual record of Spanish society. To fully understand this photograph, one could delve into municipal records, travelogues, and sociological studies of 19th-century Spain. The meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional context.