El resero Statue

Amidst the vibrant energy of Mataderos, stands El Resero, a monument that whispers tales of Argentina’s gaucho heritage. El Resero isn’t just a statue. It’s a portal to a time when gauchos roamed the Pampas, their lives intertwined with the rugged landscape and the untamed spirit of their horses. Commissioned in 1929 by the Municipality of Buenos Aires, El Resero was sculpted by Emilio Jacinto Sarniguet. He originally intended it for the entrance of the Mercado de Liniers. However, fate had other plans. After winning first prize at the National Salon in 1932, El Resero found its permanent home in 1934 in a small square on Avenida Lisandro de la Torre. It stands proudly across from Avenida de los Corrales, a silent guardian of the neighborhood’s history. The statue depicts a gaucho, or herdsman, astride his trusty steed. Look closely at the horse’s gait. It’s a “pasuco,” a special gait where the horse moves the leg and hand on the same side simultaneously. This unique gait allowed the gauchos to travel long distances, even dozing in the saddle, while their horses conserved energy. This detail, often misinterpreted as an artistic error, showcases Sarniguet’s meticulous attention to accuracy. El Resero became a national symbol, gracing the 10-peso coin from 1962 to 1968. Imagine holding this coin in your hand, a miniature El Resero connecting you to Argentina’s rich past. The statue itself stands as a testament to the gaucho’s skill, bravery, and deep connection to the land. El Resero encapsulates the spirit of the gaucho, a symbol of Argentina’s cultural identity. The monument reminds us of a time when the vast Pampas echoed with the thundering hooves of horses and the calls of the gauchos, forever etched in the heart of Mataderos.