The  first half of the 19th century found this part of Latin America involved in a series of political and social upheavals that resulted in its emancipation from Spain and in the shaping of its national identity. The struggles between Buenos Aires and the Confederation, city and countryside, civilization and barbarism had their starting point by this time. There was a wide gap between these two different worlds: on the one side the city and its dwellers who adopted the “novelties” imported from foreign shores, promoted education, scientific experimentation and critical thought, giving form to modernism. On the other hand, the countryside, a huge extension of desolate land inhabited by “gauchos” and “paisanos”. Art would reflect these two worlds. Romantic literature would stress the “popular soul” of the new born nation. The gaucho, a nomad romantic hero, would be the source of inspiration for many artists who would quickly turn him into a symbol.