Soldier and camp follower

In this watercolor we see two figures traveling over a rugged trail in the Peruvian highlands. The leading figure is a soldier, carrying a weapon, a guitar and a knapsack on his back. He is followed by a so-called “rabona”, or camp follower, carrying a pitcher wrapped in her shawl, and holding a mat and a tied bundle.
These women played an important role in the many conflicts fought among the warlords known as “caudillos” during the early years of the republic. They would attend to the soldiers’ needs; tending, healing and feeding them, and carrying their belongings.