Plate 15: a group of people outdoors, possibly a troupe of actors, from the series of customs and pastimes of the Spanish people 1850

Francisco Lameyer y Berenguer created this print, Plate 15, using etching techniques on paper. The tight composition focuses on a gathering of figures rendered through a dense network of etched lines, creating a study in contrasts between light and shadow, mass and void. The figures are arranged in a frieze-like manner across the foreground, backed by architectural elements that give spatial context but don't distract from the group dynamic. Lameyer masterfully uses line to define form and texture, the density of which creates depth and implies the weight of the clothing and bodies. The formal arrangement of shapes and the interplay of light and shadow create a visual rhythm that underscores the lively character of the group. The etching's structural integrity relies on these contrasts, where the controlled chaos of lines resolves into recognizable forms and emotional expressions. The work is not just a depiction but an interpretation, challenging viewers to consider how line and form can converge to reflect the social customs and human interactions of 19th century Spain.