La Sorpreza (The Suprise)

Augustin Arrieta (1805-1861) was a Mexican painter of the nineteenth century, noted for paintings of everyday life, traditions, and customs of Mexico, under the name of Costumbrista. It gained popularity in Mexico in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and frequently it was tied to social life, class and race distinctions among the people. After arriving in Puebla, from his birthplace Chiautempan in childhood, Arrieta studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Puebla, where he lived for most of his life. His paintings encompass scenes of Mexican everyday life, portraits, still life paintings and a few religious paintings. His famous work is La Sorpresa (The Surprise) which is a classic example of Costumbrista painting. The painting depicts an unusual interaction between two or more individuals in a domestic or social setting, with a focus on their expressions, gestures, and interactions. Arrieta presents the scene with subtle detail and realistic scope that gives viewers the opportunity to read the story underneath the story. The paintings of Arrieta are notable for their attention to the material world, including food, clothing, and household objects, which are often depicted in a very detailed and realistic way. His work not only reflects Mexican culture and experiences, but also shows some social and class distinctions. He depicted both rich and poor people in the same scenes, reflecting nineteenth-century Mexican society and its customs and traditions.