Stop 1574

Male narrator Artist Marcos Lopez brings us face to face with one of Argentina’s most popular national myths: the gaucho, a figure similar to the cowboy of the American West.

[lively music begins]

Lopez has meticulously outfitted the model. He wields the traditional weapons of the gaucho: a silver knife and bolas, used around the ranch and in fights. He wears the typical costume, including a poncho tied like an apron over white, lacy trousers. And he’s not barefoot — he’s wearing gaucho boots. Curator, Judith Keller.

[music ends]

Judith Keller These boots had no toes in them and they were usually made from the leather of a colt. Right after the animal had been killed, they wrapped their feet and ankles with this young leather, and it dried on them and that’s how (laughs) they created new boots.

Male narrator The painted background of the photograph includes a cross on the horizon. This detail, along with the distinctive red and blue of the gaucho’s costume, indicate that this is a particular person: Gaucho Gil.

Judith Keller This actual person, Gil, he died in 1878. He is a folk or popular saint thought to have powers to create miracles. 

[music resumes]

He started out as a typical gaucho ranch hand, but had an affair with the ranch owner’s wife; then had to go into the army to escape. But he deserted and at that point he became a kind of Robin Hood outlaw who eventually was killed by the police. At the time of his assassination, he is said to have healed the daughter of one of the police sergeants.

[music ends]

Male narrator Lopez draws upon the rich folklore and devotional practices of the provinces, where he grew up, to present a heroic image of Gil. The artist’s style is reminiscent of European masters like Diego Velázquez.

Judith Keller It represents his going back to the drama of religious paintings from the 16^th century on. He wants to combine themes from the history of Argentina with this Old Masters style.