Mexican Horseman
Location: Mexico
Description:
This is an image of the true Mexican horseman and an emblem of traditional masculinity. He is rustic and hearty, wearing clothes appropriate for long journeys on horseback, not a fantastic or dazzling costumes of the stage. As the author describes:
"he has his broad-brimmed, steeple-crowned Sombrero, covered with oilskin; next his short leathern jacket, fancifully embossed with plated nails, like the old buff-coats of the feudal freebooters; then, his leather trowsers with rows of buttons at the seam, preventing the chafing of the saddle, and his leggings to protect his feet and ankles; in front of him are his armas de agua, a large skin cut into two parts, the ends of which on one side are fastened to the saddle-bow, the other two being tied behind him, so that his legs are entirely protected from rain" and behind him is strapped his serape, or blanket-cloak, with a slit in the middle, which he throws over his head when it rains or is cold, and protects him from the weather as by a perfect thatch" (163).
Here the horseman, transporting goods or transmitting messages in his hardy leather clothing, is the true hero of the Mexican frontier.
Book Title: Mexico as it was and as it is
Plate Number: Page 163
Call Number: F1213 .M46