Woman from the Province of Ávila (Mujer de la Provincia de Ávila)

The painter, who was the brother of the poet Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, was commissioned by the Spanish government in 1864 to produce a series of paintings reflecting the character of Spain's different regions to show their traditions and customs. This work is a portrait of a village woman from the Amblés Valley. It is a lovely example of an ethnographic document as it follows the conventions of Costumbrist painting which depicts everyday customs. It is also known as The Egg Seller (La Vendedora de Huevos) or The Egg Basket (La Huevera).