Scarce Early Color Lithograph of Guanajuato
A beautiful early 19th-century color lithograph of the Mexican city of Guanajuato by the German artist Carl Nebel. This view comes from the very rare plate book: Voyage pittoresque et archéologique dans la partie la plus intéressante du Méxique, published in Paris in 1836. Nebel's Voyage pittoresque... was praised by his countryman, Alexander von Humboldt: "I am very pleased to be able to offer Mr. Nebel a public acknowledgment of the esteem deserved by such arduous and important work. The work, executed in Paris under the direction of the author, encompasses both ancient and modern architecture... [including] views of the main cities of the Mexican confederation."
Mining Center Known for Colonial Architecture
Guanajuato, a city nestled in the mountains of Mexico's central Bajío region, is renowned for its rich history and striking beauty. Originally founded in the 16th century as a hub for silver mining, Guanajuato played a crucial role in New Spain's economy, producing nearly a third of the world's silver by the 18th century. Guanajuato was a focal point of Mexico's War of Independence, with key events like the Siege of the Alhóndiga de Granaditas in 1810. By the mid-19th century, the city remained a significant center of political and cultural activity. Its stunning colonial architecture, colorful hillside homes, and labyrinthine streets reflect its Spanish heritage and mining wealth, making it not only a historic but also a visually captivating city that continues to draw admiration for its preserved beauty and historical legacy.
Carl Nebel (1805-1855) was a German artist and lithographer known for his detailed and vivid depictions of Mexico in the mid-19th century. After traveling to Mexico in the 1820s, Nebel captured the country's landscapes, architecture, and everyday life through a series of lithographic views that gained widespread acclaim. His most notable work, Voyage pittoresque et archéologique dans la partie la plus intéressante du Méxique (1836), featured 50 hand-colored lithographs that offered European audiences a rare visual insight into Mexican culture and scenery. Nebel's work was characterized by uncommon attention to detail and color, making his lithographs important visual documents that chronicled Mexico during a period of significant social and political change. His work was also featured in The War Between the United States and Mexico (1851), perhaps the most ambitious color plate book of the Mexican War, on which he collaborated with George Wilkins Kendall.