Soldier And Camp Follower — Francisco Fierro Palas

Soldier and camp follower


francisco fierro palas (1807 - 1879)

Discover Francisco Fierro Palas (1807-1879), a self-taught Peruvian artist celebrated for his vibrant watercolors depicting 19th-century Lima life. Explore his costumbrista scenes, capturing everyday culture & social diversity. #PeruvianArt #Costumbr

Museo Central. Banco Central de Reserva del Perú (Lima, Peru)

Explore Peru's artistic legacy at Museo Central BCRP! Admire pre-Columbian artifacts, colonial paintings & republican masterpieces housed in Lima’s historic bank building – a cultural landmark.

In this watercolor we see two figures traveling over a rugged trail in the Peruvian highlands. The leading figure is a soldier, carrying a weapon, a guitar and a knapsack on his back. He is followed by a so-called “rabona”, or camp follower, carrying a pitcher wrapped in her shawl, and holding a mat and a tied bundle. These women played an important role in the many conflicts fought among the warlords known as “caudillos” during the early years of the republic. They would attend to the soldiers’ needs; tending, healing and feeding them, and carrying their belongings.