Who painted The Three Races or Equality before the Law?

The Three Races or Equality before the Law was painted by Francisco Laso in 1859.

Where can I see The Three Races or Equality before the Law?

The Three Races or Equality before the Law is held by Lima Art Museum.

Can I buy a print of The Three Races or Equality before the Law?

Museum-quality prints of The Three Races or Equality before the Law are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Three Races or Equality before the Law

Francisco Laso , 1859

The Three Races or Equality before the Law is an oil painting by Francisco Laso. It dates from 1859 and is held in the collection of the Lima Art Museum.

About this work

Overview

Francisco Laso, a Peruvian painter active in the mid‑19th century, completed the oil work *The Three Races or Equality before the Law* in 1859. The canvas, now part of the collection of the Lima Art Museum, presents three women seated together, each holding a deck of cards, and conveys a quiet, contemplative mood.

Subject & Meaning

The three figures are intended as allegorical representations of the three principal racial groups in Peru, suggesting a vision of legal equality among them. By placing the women in a shared space and engaging them in a common activity, Laso underscores a theme of social harmony and mutual respect.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the painting employs a restrained palette: a light‑colored gown on the left, a gray dress with a white collar in the centre, and darker attire with a hat on the right. The setting includes a green‑tinted railing, a wooden floor, and a plain wall, allowing the figures and their gestures to dominate the composition.

History & Provenance

Laso, who was also involved in politics, created the work during a period when he began to explore indigenismo, an artistic current that foregrounded Indigenous subjects. The painting entered the Lima Art Museum’s holdings sometime after its completion, where it remains a key example of his early social‑concerned oeuvre.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Francisco Laso

José Francisco Domingo Laso de la Vega y de los Ríos (8 May 1823, Tacna - 14 May 1869, San Mateo District) was a Peruvian painter and politician.

Museum

Lima Art Museum

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