The gaúcho
In traditional dress.
Otávio Astor Vaz Costa — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Eugenio Hansen, OFS — CC BY-SA 4.0 · marcusrg - Hello, nice to meet you! — CC BY 2.0 · Eugenio Hansen, OFS — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Eliane Andrea Bender Ijuí — CC BY-SA 4.0 · LeonardoSVieira — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Laçador, the «Lasso Thrower», has been the official symbol of Porto Alegre since 1992, depicting the «gaúcho» in full traditional dress, the cowboy of the pampas on whom the identity of Rio Grande do Sul rests. It is the work of the sculptor Antônio Caringi from Pelotas, cast in bronze, 4.45 metres tall and weighing 3.8 tonnes, on a granite base 2.10 metres high. The statue grew out of a public competition in 1954 for the exhibition marking São Paulo's fourth centenary in Ibirapuera Park, to choose a sculpture symbolising Rio Grande do Sul, and Caringi took first, second and third places. For an authentic gaúcho model he turned to the young folklorist Paixão Côrtes, who posed for him in his own collection of gaúcho clothing. The statue was listed as city heritage in 2001 and moved in 2007 from its original site to the «Sítio do Laçador» near the airport, to make way for a flyover. It is the first thing many arrivals to the city see, and makes a short photo stop.
In traditional dress.
Caringi's work.
Near the airport.
Sítio do Laçador, near the airport, Porto Alegre
The young folklorist Paixão Côrtes, who posed for the sculptor Antônio Caringi in his gaúcho clothing.
