Our Artist in Cuba Fifty drawings on wood. Leaves from the Sketch-book of a traveler, During the Winter of 1864-5.

A wandering artist’s notebook comes to life in this vivid collection of fifty wood‑cut drawings, each a fresh, off‑hand impression of mid‑nineteenth‑century Cuba. The images capture bustling Havana streets, colorful market stalls, lively cafés, and the fierce energy of local cock‑fights, all rendered with a blend of caricature and careful observation that feels almost photographic. The artist’s sketch‑like style preserves the immediacy of a first glance—whether it’s a cheeky “booby” spotted from a ship’s deck or a donkey‑pulled cart navigating narrow lanes.

Beyond the bustling urban scenes, the drawings reveal quieter moments: a quiet convent tower, fragrant orange groves, and the simple pleasures of coffee and chocolate in shaded plazas. Their humor and eye‑for detail offer listeners a uniquely personal tour of the Antilles, inviting imagination to roam the streets, hear the music, and taste the flavors that defined a winter of travel and discovery.