franchetas

Franchetas are a type of Mexican and Guatemalan folk art originating from the nineteenth century. They represent everyday life scenes, often humorous and satirical, rendered in watercolor or tempera paint on board or card. These small, ornate panels are typically painted in a rectangular format, usually no larger than a postcard, and are meant to be displayed as decorative items.

Franchetas are characterized by their vivid colors and focus on rural or village life. Images often depict scenes of farmers working in the fields, families gathered around the dinner table, or townspeople going about their daily business. Sometimes, abstract or symbolic motifs are included in the background or as secondary elements. Each piece is painted with care, paying attention to details such as facial expressions and wardrobe.

The art of franchetas is not well-documented, and few professional artists have been associated with this style. Traditionally, franchetas have been created by amateur artists, mostly women from peasant backgrounds, who have continued their families' traditions. As part of their daily lives, these women have shared their views on society and culture through their art. This practice has guaranteed the preservation of specific social aspects, an expression of the simple pleasures and jokes that daily life offers.

Franchetas are strictly a form of folk art, sought after by local and international collectors for their quaint aesthetic and as relics of traditional peasant art and everyday life in Latin America. Their creation serves as a testament to the potential expressions of strong female voices and an authentic way of expressing a short-big-hued language based on brief narrative moments. They enrich our understanding of continuing past artistic traditions, providing a special record of unsaid life's stories.