A feminine figure stands before you. This is La llegada Sculpture. It personifies the Argentine Republic. The sculpture features a Phrygian cap. This is a traditional symbol of liberty. Her garments wave in the wind.
La llegada Sculpture was a central part of the Argentine Pavilion. This was at the Universal Exhibition of Paris in 1889.
At her back is a bull. It symbolizes the growing animal husbandry in Argentina. At its feet are two human figures. One harvests grain. This represents agriculture. Agriculture is the main source of wealth for the country. The other figure sits on an anvil. He is between gears. These symbolize industry. He holds a locomotive. This represents progress. It shows the progress of a modern country.
In 1889, the Paris Universal Exhibition showcased progress. Thirty-five countries built enormous pavilions. Each nation showed its cultural level. Each pavilion tried to represent the nation’s wealth. Argentina was an invited country. This gave its political leadership a chance. They could show the nation’s economic strength. Argentina had seen major modernisation. This had happened in the preceding twenty years. The Argentine Pavilion was in the Champ de Mars. It was near the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower was the entrance to the exhibition. The Argentine Pavilion had a European style. This differed from the Mexican and Brazilian pavilions. They emphasized their Latin American heritage.
The national government delegated the pavilion’s construction. They organized a contest. Writer Eugenio Cambaceres chaired the committee. They specified a demountable iron construction. This would allow moving the pavilion to Buenos Aires. This would happen after the exhibition ended. Albert Ballu won the construction work. He was a renowned French architect. He had come second in the contest.
Jean-Baptiste Hugues sculpted an original work in bronze. It was for the pavilion. The National Museum of Fine Arts keeps the original plaster model. It measures 84 cm x 122.3 cm x 33 cm. Ignacio Pirovano gave it to the museum in 1946. This commemorated his mother María Rosa Lezica Alvear of Pirovano. Dr. Pirovano inherited the sculpture. He got it from his grandfather. Ricardo de Lezica y Thompson was his grandfather. He was a member of the Argentine commission. He worked at the Paris exhibition.
After the Universal Exhibition, the Argentine delegation tried to sell the pavilion. The Argentine economy was in a precarious state. This was after the crisis of 1890. The pavilion was made of iron. It could be easily disassembled. There were no buyers. So, it was decided to bring it to Buenos Aires. Some parts were lost in a storm. This happened during the transatlantic crossing. But it arrived in acceptable condition. A bidding contest decided who would rebuild it. They would exploit the concession. An Englishman won. He used the pavilion for various exhibitions. In 1910, the national government recovered the pavilion. This was at the centenary of the Revolution of May. They wanted to place it in Plaza San Martín. It would be in front of the National Museum of Fine Arts. The Pavilion was dismantled between 1932 and 1934. Eventually, it was sold as scrap.
The Buenos Aires city authorities installed the bronze sculptures. These sculptures decorated the four corners of the pavilion. They were placed in diverse points of the city. The main sculpture was placed next to the Escuela Técnica Raggio building. That’s where La llegada Sculpture stands today.
In 1997, some remains of the Pavilion were discovered. This was in the neighborhood of Mataderos. It had become part of the Fábrica Solana de Carros y Carruajes. This translates to Solana Factory of Cars and Carriages. Researchers found that Isidoro Adrets had bought the remains in 1945. He was a soldier and a blacksmith. The main nave elements had not been destroyed. They were buried in a sector of the Parque Tres de Febrero. This is in the neighborhood of Palermo. Despite this, there have been no efforts to locate and display them.
La llegada Sculpture stands as a symbol. It represents the Argentine Republic. Its journey reflects Argentina’s own path. From a glittering exhibition to a place of pride in Buenos Aires.