Costume of Salamanca, Leon, Avila and Catalonia, Hand Colored Lithograph, 1842

An original antique lithograph, hand colored, from the Galleria Universale di Tutti i Popoli del Mondo (Venice, Giuseppe Antonelli, 1842). The upper image shows a well to do couple of Salamanca, the wife in a broad hat, white head cloth and lace collar, a pink bodice and white apron over a striped skirt, her husband in a broad black hat, brown cloak, green jacket and blue breeches; beside them a country pair from Leon, the man in a black cocked hat, blue doublet and full red breeches with a book under his arm, the woman seen from behind in a straw hat, with long loose hair, spinning from a spindle, keys at her waist and a striped skirt. The lower image shows a man of Avila in a pointed black hat, ruff, brown jerkin and blue sleeves with a crook, and a woman in a yellow shawl spotted red, a green skirt and a basket on her arm; then a Catalan woman in a black lace veil, white apron and pink skirt carrying a basket of greens and a pail, and a Catalan man in a red cap, blue cape and brown coat with a striped sash.

The top margin is lettered "Tom IV", "SPAGNA" and "Tav 13". Under the upper image: "Ricco benestante di Salamanca con la moglie" (Wealthy man of Salamanca with his wife) and "Leonesi di campagna" (Country people of Leon). Under the lower image: "Abitanti di Avila" (Inhabitants of Avila) and "Catalani" (Catalans).

Salamanca, Leon and Avila lie in the old kingdoms of Leon and Castile in the center and northwest of Spain, while Catalonia is in the northeast, on the Mediterranean. The plate sets the heavy cloaks and broad hats of the interior beside the red cap of the Catalan man.

Eight full length figures in clear colors give the plate a strong presence in a small frame.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.