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Lot Essay
A variant of the canvas of the same size sold Christie’s, London, 15 December 2016, lot 149 (£485,000) for which see P. Diener, Rugendas, Augsburg, 1997, P-O-21 ('Fiesta de San Juan en Amencaes'), p.350, illustrated in colour p.109. For studies of the guitarist see Diener, PC-D-342, and of the landscape and cabins see Diener, PB-D-181.
'On the 23rd of June, (Dia de San Juan), all Lima annually assemble along the windings of the "Great Alameda", and between orangeries now prettily laden with fruit, to the romantic mountain recess of "Amencaes", only about one mile from town, and beautifully adapted for pleasure grounds, if only supplied with water, which it might have at some expense. This spot commands a fine view of the capital, with its towering spires; of wide fields, innumerable orchards, the Rimac, and the fine lagoon at its mouth; ... Here, on the day of San Juan, – a day of festivity and joy, – men, women, and children of all ranks, all ages, and all colours and occupations, meet. Mirth is the object of one and all. Their horses, their asses, and even their own persons, are adorned in the best manner; and the rational as well as the irrational members of the ever moving crowd are bedecked with the flower of Amencaes taken from the favourite clefts and nooks of these hills. In this place there are tents and sheds, that supply seats and refreshment for those who love the thoughtless and bawling mirth of the "jarrana". There is at this exhibition a dunning confusion of musical discord kept up by drumming, piping, shouting, harping, and guitaring, singing, laughing, and dancing; but no fighting. Here too we may see the popular paseo, or promenade, of the chuchumecas, (women of immoral character), who mingle freely and good-humouredly with the crowd, to the infinite amusement of the multitude. The national taste is on this, and on other occasions of festivity, eminently displayed by the loud and simultaneous laugh, or "carcajada", of cheering voluptuaries when the samaqueca – a favourite dance – is exhibited in a free and masterly style.' (A. Smith, Peru as it is: a residence in Lima and other parts of the Peruvian republic, London, 1839, I, pp.150-52).
'On the 23rd of June, (Dia de San Juan), all Lima annually assemble along the windings of the "Great Alameda", and between orangeries now prettily laden with fruit, to the romantic mountain recess of "Amencaes", only about one mile from town, and beautifully adapted for pleasure grounds, if only supplied with water, which it might have at some expense. This spot commands a fine view of the capital, with its towering spires; of wide fields, innumerable orchards, the Rimac, and the fine lagoon at its mouth; ... Here, on the day of San Juan, – a day of festivity and joy, – men, women, and children of all ranks, all ages, and all colours and occupations, meet. Mirth is the object of one and all. Their horses, their asses, and even their own persons, are adorned in the best manner; and the rational as well as the irrational members of the ever moving crowd are bedecked with the flower of Amencaes taken from the favourite clefts and nooks of these hills. In this place there are tents and sheds, that supply seats and refreshment for those who love the thoughtless and bawling mirth of the "jarrana". There is at this exhibition a dunning confusion of musical discord kept up by drumming, piping, shouting, harping, and guitaring, singing, laughing, and dancing; but no fighting. Here too we may see the popular paseo, or promenade, of the chuchumecas, (women of immoral character), who mingle freely and good-humouredly with the crowd, to the infinite amusement of the multitude. The national taste is on this, and on other occasions of festivity, eminently displayed by the loud and simultaneous laugh, or "carcajada", of cheering voluptuaries when the samaqueca – a favourite dance – is exhibited in a free and masterly style.' (A. Smith, Peru as it is: a residence in Lima and other parts of the Peruvian republic, London, 1839, I, pp.150-52).