Plate 3: four street vendors from Madrid selling large tomatoes, milk, water, milk shakes, from 'Los Gritos de Madrid' (The Cries of Madrid) 1809 - 1817

Editor: So, here we have "Plate 3: four street vendors from Madrid..." part of a series called 'Los Gritos de Madrid,' created sometime between 1809 and 1817. They're watercolors, prints, and drawings showing vendors selling goods. The mood feels light, almost… like a staged play, despite depicting everyday life. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: Staged, yes, almost like carefully placed figurines! For me, it’s the intimate glance into a bygone era, a captured moment that whispers stories of bustling streets and daily rituals. Can you imagine the sounds, the smells…the grit? It's more than just visual; it's a sensory portal. And these weren't just random street scenes, were they? Think about the political context – Spain during the Napoleonic Wars! This documentation becomes even more poignant, doesn't it? Editor: That adds a completely new layer! It's easy to get lost in the quaintness. Did Gamborino do many of these vendor scenes? Curator: Oh, yes. He seemed drawn to the vibrancy of the streets, almost obsessed with documenting these everyday heroes of Madrid. Their lives, immortalized! And it wasn't always a rosy picture. Look at their burdens, their weary postures despite the implied cheerfulness. Does that change how you perceive them now? Editor: It does! The almost cartoonish style makes them accessible, but knowing what was going on, they become quite profound, really. Each figure becomes a symbol. Curator: Exactly! The lighthearted medium belies the complex realities, a delightful dance of contrasts. A delicious reminder that art, even seemingly simple art, is always multi-layered and, dare I say, endlessly fascinating. Editor: Absolutely! I'm definitely going to look at this differently now. Thank you!