Gaucho on horseback. Paris. 1878.

Vintage photograph, an albumen print in a "cabinet card" (portrait) format, mounted on cardboard with no photographer’s mark. Dimensions: 10.3 x 6.5 cm. The image is in good condition. From the collection of César Gotta.

This scene, we understand, documents the first time a *gaucho* appeared at the Universal Exposition in Paris. While *gauchos* were represented at the 1867 edition, it was through the use of mannequins; for the 1878 exposition, however, it was decided to send a small group of rural *paisanos*—including women and children—who traveled aboard the steamship *Porteña*.

Drawing once again on the expertise of Juan Miguel Arbuco, we describe the scene: “In this image, we see a *gaucho* on horseback, dressed in period-appropriate attire. He wears *boleadoras* (throwing bolas) at his waist, a *chiripá* (a traditional loose-fitting garment) with a design suggestive of English influence, and *botas de potro* (boots made from raw horsehide) with their corresponding garters. The saddle—lacking visible pommels—appears to be either a flat-padded saddle (*bastos*) or a pack-saddle (*albarda*), both typical of the era. One can discern the leather *carona* (saddle pad) and the *cojinillo* (sheepskin cover), topped by a woven *coronilla*—a piece that appears to be of the ‘partridge-eye’ (*ojo de perdiz*) weave pattern. The stirrups are made of wood and metal cross-pieces. Regarding the headstall—though difficult to discern clearly due to the lack of sharpness in the image—it appears to feature a bit with ring-style reins. A hobble (*manea*) is visible beneath the horse’s throat; as no halter is apparent, it is likely attached to a *cogotera* (a neck strap). In the hand holding the reins, a *rebenque* (whip) with a flat, paddle-like end hangs from the wrist, while in the other hand, he holds a *tacuara*—a lance topped with a characteristic crescent-shaped iron tip.”

Abel Alexander

President, Ibero-American Society for the History of Photography