Lot 121a, Auction 4/12/2026: Mexican Painting – Batalla del Cinco de Mayo de 1862

$3,640.00

In stock

Anonymous (Mexican, active late XIX-early XX century). Batalla del Cinco de Mayo de 1862. Acrylic on board, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A compelling and richly narrative acrylic on board painting depicting the Batalla del Cinco de Mayo de 1862, presented in a folk-historical style that blends documentary intent with artistic interpretation. The composition is organized around the fortified heights of Guadalupe, where Mexican forces resist the advancing French army, while animated vignettes of combat unfold across the foreground. Above the battlefield, three oval portrait medallions depict Benito Juarez, Ignacio Zaragoza, and General Gonzalez Ortega, each framed by draped Mexican flags, reinforcing the patriotic and didactic purpose of the work. Size of painting: 47.2″ W x 33″ H (119.9 cm x 83.8 cm); of frame: 53.25″ W x 39″ H (135.3 cm x 99.1 cm)

The painting is notable for its extensive inscriptions, many of which are drawn from “Au Mexique, 1862: Combats Et Retraite des Six Mille,” a historical account written by Prince Georges Bibesco and published in 1887, recounting the French expedition to Mexico and the early clashes culminating in their withdrawal. These texts transform the composition into a visual chronicle. Among them, the central battlefield inscription reads: “De repente se oye un canhonaso, uno solo. Ha partido del fuerte de Guadalupe.” (“Suddenly a cannon shot is heard, a single one. It has come from Fort Guadalupe.”). The radiant sun at right bears the date “5 de Mayo de 1862” (“May 5, 1862”), anchoring the scene in its historic moment. A poetic passage at upper right declares: “Y como si la naturaleza hubiera querido tomar parte en la gran epopeya…” (“And as if nature had wished to take part in the great epic…”), describing a storm washing the bloodied hillsides.

Additional inscriptions beneath the portraits provide historical context: beneath Zaragoza, “Ignacio Zaragoza… se situo en Puebla con 4000 hombres…” (“Ignacio Zaragoza… positioned himself in Puebla with 4,000 men…”); beneath Gonzalez Ortega, “El general Gonzalez Ortega fue nombrado…” (“General Gonzalez Ortega was appointed…”); and beneath Juarez, “Juarez estaba a la altura de la situacion…” (“Juarez rose to the occasion…”). Along the lower edge, a partially obscured line reads: “Tal fue la victoria del 5 de Mayo…” (“Such was the victory of the 5th of May…”), emphasizing the triumph and its emotional resonance.

Executed with a lively hand and softened palette, the work reflects the enduring cultural memory of Cinco de Mayo as a symbol of resistance and national pride. Likely produced decades after the event, it stands as a vivid example of Mexican historical folk painting, where text and image merge to preserve history in both word and form.

Condition: Some areas of repair and restoration to canvas, as well as some retouching to paint. Some tears, punctures, creases and pulls. Surface grime throughout. Otherwise, mostly clear inscriptions and great imagery. Mounted in a custom wooden frame with a suspension wire on verso for display.

Provenance: private collection of S. Saunders, Nogales Arizona, USA collection

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