Two musicians and a man carrying on his head a rooster in cage, from a group of drawings depicting Peruvian dress 1843 - 1853

This watercolor on paper, by Francisco Fierro, shows three men and offers a glimpse into 19th-century Peruvian street life. The artist’s chosen medium, watercolor, lends itself to capturing the textures and colors of daily life. Look closely at the figures’ clothing: the musician’s tall hat and blue cloak, the drummer’s crisp white suit, and the man carrying a rooster in a cage. These details, rendered with delicate brushstrokes, suggest not just individual portraits but also social roles. The cage itself, likely made from wire, reflects the impact of industrial materials on everyday objects. The rooster, confined within its manufactured enclosure, hints at the commodification of even living creatures. Fierro’s work is a reminder that art, even in its most unassuming forms, can reveal the intricate connections between materials, making, and the social fabric of a society.