In the early decades of the nineteenth century 🕰️, and especially after Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821 ✊🏽, foreign travelers flocked to Mexico eager to see a new country with their own eyes.👀 🧵Garments like the sarape seen here were central to the exotic, picturesque Mexico they constructed. Mexicans themselves saw the sarape as symbol of Mexican identity✨. It was popularized by Men vaqueros, or cowboys, and gained its iconic status when it was adopted by members of the upperclass who supported Mexican independence.✊🏽 Happy Cinco de Mayo 🇲🇽🎉 Unrecorded artist, Sarape, 19th century Saltillo, Mexico Wool, cotton, 91 1/2 x 49 1/4 in. Gift of Miss Caroline La Monte 26.1492 #cincodemayo #nmoa #sarape #saltillomexico