El paso del Gral. San Martin por el Pueblo de San Martin Mural

A hidden detail whispers from El paso del Gral. San Martin por el Pueblo de San Martin Mural. Did you know San Martin and his granaderos weren’t dressed in their crisp uniforms during their journey to San Lorenzo? El paso del Gral. San Martin por el Pueblo de San Martin Mural, a sprawling artwork, captures a pivotal moment in Argentine history: General San Martin’s 1813 passage through the town of San Martin. This mural isn’t just a large painting. It’s a sequence of images unfolding like a filmstrip, narrating the historical journey. Artist Pina Poggi envisioned a tribute to the Father of the Patria and her beloved city. She meticulously depicted San Martin’s route, from his departure from Retiro to his stop at the Santos Lugares de Jerusalén post. He rested there at Colonel de la Serna’s estate before continuing to the Battle of San Lorenzo. The mural extends along a former police station and detention center, transformed by Poggi’s artistry. She used the *esgrafiado* technique, a sculptural method of scratching through layers of colored plaster. This technique dates back to Etruscan civilizations, lending an ancient touch to this modern masterpiece. Poggi even incorporated glass, mirrors, and stones, enhancing the texture and depth of the mural. The mural cleverly integrates existing structures. A former guardhouse became “El Josecito,” a pulpería where Poggi annually commemorates the Combat of Perdriel. An alcove represents Colonel de la Serna’s patio, a place of rest for San Martin. Poggi also involved the community. Friends and neighbors signed a section of the mural, symbolizing their connection to the story. The mural’s narrative starts with San Martin contemplating his route to San Lorenzo. A map-like depiction reveals the various posts where he changed horses. The sequence continues with the Battle of San Lorenzo and San Martin’s triumphant return to Retiro. To ensure clarity, San Martin and his soldiers are portrayed in uniform throughout the mural, even though they traveled in civilian clothes to avoid detection. El paso del Gral. San Martin por el Pueblo de San Martin Mural stands as a powerful reminder of Argentina’s struggle for independence. It celebrates San Martin’s strategic brilliance and the community’s role in this historic event.