A Peruvian man, from a group of drawings depicting Peruvian dress 1843 - 1853

Francisco Fierro, a free Afro-Peruvian artist, made this watercolor drawing of a Peruvian man during a period of nation-building and social change in Peru. Fierro captured everyday life in Lima, portraying a wide range of social classes and ethnic groups. His work provides insights into the social dynamics of the time, marked by the legacies of colonialism and the emergence of new national identities. Here, the man's traditional Andean dress, including his poncho and hat, speaks to Indigenous cultural identity. However, the very act of depicting him through the gaze of a costumbrista artist like Fierro raises questions about representation and power dynamics. Whose perspective are we seeing through? Fierro's drawings, while valuable as historical documents, also reflect the complex interplay of race, class, and representation in 19th-century Peruvian society. They prompt us to consider the nuances of cultural exchange and the ways in which identities are both preserved and transformed.