Artwork
A Lima cowboy
A Lima cowboy is an unspecified painting by Pancho Fierro. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Fine Arts, Argentina.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1850, this watercolor by Pancho Fierro portrays a rider on a galloping horse. The figure wears a blue shirt, white trousers and a straw hat, while the horse is shown with its front legs lifted. A pale yellow ground fills the background, giving the scene a simple, flat setting.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures a Peruvian cowboy, or “guajiro,” in motion, emphasizing the everyday life of rural workers in mid‑nineteenth‑century Peru. The attire and saddle equipment hint at local dress and equestrian practices, offering a glimpse into the social role of horsemen in the region’s agricultural and transport activities.
Technique & Style
Fierro employs the costumbrista watercolor approach, using transparent washes to define form and a limited palette that highlights the rider’s clothing against the bright background. The swift brushwork conveys the horse’s movement, while fine lines delineate the reins and hat, characteristic of the artist’s documentary style.
History & Provenance
Pancho Fierro (c.1807‑1879), a prominent Peruvian chronicler of daily customs, produced this work as part of his series documenting local scenes. The watercolor now belongs to the National Museum of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s collection of Latin American art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francisco Fierro Palas, called "Pancho" Fierro (c. 1807/1809 – 28 July 1879), was a Peruvian painter, known primarily for his costumbrista watercolors, which depict his country's life and customs.
Museum
National Museum of Fine Arts, Argentina
Continue through works from the same source collection.
