Plate 10: two figures dancing, another seated playing an drum, from the series of customs and pastimes of the Spanish people 1850

Francisco Lameyer y Berenguer created this etching, titled Plate 10, as part of his series on Spanish customs. Focusing on popular entertainments, Lameyer offers a glimpse into the social life of 19th-century Spain, potentially commenting on the social structures of his time. We see a lively scene with figures dancing and playing music outside what appears to be a modest dwelling. The work provides insight into the cultural practices and recreational activities of ordinary people. To truly understand the image, we can ask, what was the public role of art? The image creates meaning through the illustration of everyday life and the illustration of the cultural references to dancing and music. When we see popular entertainments depicted in the image we must consider how the artist is participating in broader discussions about national identity. By consulting historical records, social commentaries, and studies of Spanish culture during the 1800s, one can gain a richer understanding of the social context that shaped this image. Art is contingent on social and institutional context.