[FRANCISCO “ PANCHO” FIERRO PALAS attrib.] (1808- 1879) African Peruvian waterclour artist, muralsist , largely known for his “ costumbrista” watercolours depicting costume in everyday life in Peru. A self taught artist who painted signs, murals , and bull fight posters and who made religious statues. Today he is recognised as a folk artist and is remembered for his vibrant character portraits of Peruvian costume. He was very popular, and his work was much imitated. The three watercolour originals , undated but circa 1840-50, bear a striking resemblance to works held in the Metropolitan Museum Of Art [ New York U.S.A.] with almost identical paper size and with one bearing a pencil inscription “ Lime” [for Lima ?] as do other works attributed to Fierro. The reverse of the paintings have inscriptions added in ink, presumably by the purchaser. The first, of a couple dancing, has the inscription “Lima: a native dance called the Samba guaca” The second; “ Limemian costume a lady dressed in the Saya y marta”, and the third ; “ A Limemian female riding out to the festival called Alcancaes so called from the place where it is held abounding with flowers of that name , one of which she carries in her hand”. Fierro was very prolific, and versions of all three images can be found online, all attributed to Fierro . The city of Lima Pinacoteca Municipal Ignacio Merino holds a large collection of his work and the following link has a good selection of his work for comparison showing a wide range of his subject matter:. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anexo:Obras_de_Pancho_Fierro
