Mexican Boy On Horseback Near Veracruz, Mid XIX Century . Sign. J S Hegi

Mexican Boy Crossing a Mountain Pass on Horseback with a Mule near Veracruz, Mid-19th Century.

Artist: Johann S. Hegi (1834-1895), signed.

Technique: Watercolor and pencil on paper

Dimensions: 33.5 cm x 28 cm with frame; 24 cm x 18 cm only painting without passepartout

Condition: Good, under glass and framed

This watercolor of refined quality and virtuoso technique depicts a young farmer crossing a mountain pass on horseback, preceded by a mule.

The boy is dressed in traditional Mexican attire, wearing a straw hat and a poncho, providing a precise and attentive depiction of the scene. The artist's careful attention to detail immediately conveys to the viewer that this is a landscape and scene from the Americas. The painting, created with a combination of watercolor and pencil on paper, is signed in the lower left corner "J S HEGI" and features a dedication in German on the right passepartout, ending with the artist's signature.

J S HEGI (signed in the lower left corner and on the right passepartout with a German dedication)

Artist Biography:
Johann S. Hegi (1834-1895) was a Swiss artist of the 19th century, known for his detailed watercolor works. Born and raised in Switzerland, Hegi spent several years in Veracruz, Mexico, where he closely observed local daily life.
Like the Orientalist painters of his time, who were fascinated by the exoticism of the East and sought to capture the unique cultures and landscapes of the Orient, Hegi was drawn to the vibrant and diverse aspects of Mexican life. He sought to capture in his works the emotions and traditions outside of Europe. Hegi created a series of watercolor paintings that depict the ancient customs and modern life of mid-19th century Mexico in Veracruz.
After his stay in Mexico, Hegi returned to Switzerland, where he continued to paint and exhibit his works.


This watercolor is not just a work of art but an intriguing historical document offering a glimpse into 19th-century Mexican life through the eyes of a European artist. The mixed techniques of watercolor and pencil give the scene great realism on one hand, but also a romantic vision of a world and culture that the painter observes and describes with poetic nuance.

The painting is in good condition, protected under glass and carefully framed to preserve its integrity over time.