This collection was created by Mr. Francisco Ayerza (1860-1901) -one of the founders of the Sociedad Fotográfica Argentina de Aficionados (SFAA) that functioned between 1889 and 1926 in the aim to record the life and costumes of the “gaucho”. With these photographs Ayerza thought to edit an illustrated version of “Martin Fierro” a very well known book written by José Hernández (1834-1886) who wanted to create a fictional type that represents the character of the “gaucho”, his moral and way of living, his costumes, work, vices and virtues.
The photographs were taken both in Estancia “El Cisne” property of Mr. Ayerza and in Estancia “San Juan” property of Mr. Leonardo Peryra Iraola a good friend of Ayerza, and also founder of the SFAA. Although this project wasn’t finished the photographs circulated by means of expositions, albums and other publications. The first exposition of these images, under the auspices of the SFAA and named “Escenas del campo argentino” was held in 1891.
