Prilidiano Pueyrredón, 1861
Un Rodeo en la Pampa captures a dynamic scene of a cattle roundup on the vast Argentine plains, offering a direct visual narrative of the country’s ranching heritage during a period of profound economic and social transformation. This painting depicts gauchos working in concert to gather cattle, a practice that was central to the cattle ranching industry which fueled Argentina’s emergence as a leading beef exporter. The vigorous movement of the herd and the coordinated efforts of the gauchos highlight the labour-intensive nature of traditional ranching — a way of life that was gradually redefined by modernisation.
As Argentina’s economy shifted with the development of industrial meatpacking plants and the expansion of railroad networks, the traditional practices of cattle management were challenged by new technologies and urban growth. Un Rodeo de la Pampa stands as a visual document of this critical juncture. It reflects both the enduring skills and communal spirit of the rural workforce and the pressures imposed by industrial progress. In our exhibition, this painting not only illustrates the mechanics of a cattle roundup but also underscores the broader cultural and social shifts that reshaped Argentine society during the cattle boom, preserving the legacy of the gaucho and the pastoral traditions that once defined the nation.