Pericon at the Estate

Musicologist Carlos Vega states: “The Pericón is a typical dance in the flat area of the pampa. It is a very elegant dance, and was called the ‘dance of four’ on account of the fact that this was the minimum number of couples needed and also because the choreography of this primitive dance was comprised by only four figures, named, in order: question or mirror, hindmost or joyful, chain and sky.” In this painting on cardboard by Figari, there are eight couples dancing, that is, there are twice as many as needed for this colonial dance. The gauchos are rigorously attired in bombacha (baggy trousers), vincha (headband) and facón (long knife); the women wear long dresses, with their hair braided and a kerchief around the neck. Two guitar players are seated on the right-hand side of the scene and a few figures look on at the dance. The diversion takes place close to the estate’s main entrance gate. A tree covers the full moon and the sky takes up more than half of the composition. The painting portrays a calm, almost timeless atmosphere, achieved with the same expertise that Figari imparts to all his works.