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Description

Guadalajara by Carl Nebel

An evocative early 19th-century color lithograph of the Plaza Mayor of Guadalajara, 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."

Nebel himself described Guadalajara in glowing terms:

Several churches, the government palace, beautiful private homes, and wide, clean streets form its interior adornments; an avenue, a large promenade, and various country houses beautify its surroundings...

The lithograph shows the wide expanse of the Plaza Mayor, with a handsome fountain in the center. Several people stand near the fountain as others linger along the paths, including a few soldiers, a priest, several women and a child.

The Plaza Mayor, or Plaza de Armas, of Guadalajara, Mexico, is a historic central square that dates back to the city's founding in the 16th century. It has long been a focal point of civic and social life in the city. The plaza is flanked by significant colonial-era buildings, including the Government Palace, known for its striking baroque architecture, and the Metropolitan Cathedral, a stunning mix of Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical styles. Over the centuries, the Plaza de Armas has served as a site for public gatherings, celebrations, and political events, embodying the cultural and historical heart of Guadalajara.

Tapatíos

People from Guadalajara are called "Tapatíos" (for men) and "Tapatías" (for women), a nickname that originates from the Nahuatl word "tapatiotl," which referred to a monetary unit or market exchange system used by indigenous peoples in the region. Over time, the term evolved to describe the people of Guadalajara, reflecting their association with trade, markets, and the cultural vibrancy of the city. Today, "Tapatío" and "Tapatía" are affectionate terms that celebrate the unique identity and pride of those from Guadalajara, deeply tied to the city's traditions, cuisine, and lively character.

Carl Nebel's Voyage Pittoresque (Paris, 1836)

Carl Nebel's 1836 book Voyage Pittoresque et Archéologique is a landmark in the artistic documentation of Mexico, blending romanticized portrayals with a keen observational eye. A German architect and painter, Nebel arrived in Mexico in 1829, inspired by writings of explorers and chroniclers such as Humboldt and Bernal Díaz del Castillo. Indeed, Humboldt would publicly praise Nebel's "arduous and important" Mexican work.  Over five years, Nebel traveled extensively, capturing scenes in Puebla, Guadalajara, Zacatecas, and Mexico City, among other regions. Back in Paris, he created a book of 50 lithographs, many of which were hand-colored, depicting both archaeological sites and the contemporary life of a nation newly visible to European travelers. His work reflects the allure of the picturesque through a methodical approach, representing Mexico’s landscapes, people, and architecture, appealing to the European fascination with the Americas during a period of increasing accessibility.

Condition Description
Lithograph, original hand color. Some age-toning and marginal dust soil to sheet. Tiny nicks to top edge. A few tiny worm holes in sky region and in lower margin. Else overall quite nice.
Reference
Iturriaga, José N. Litografía y Grabado en el Mexico del XIX, v. 1, page 100.
Carl Nebel Biography

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.