Patagonia. Río gallegos. Circa 1990.

Color photographic landscape, vintage analog work by Bernardo Roil, with authorial identification in a dry stamp on the lower left margin: "B. Roil" And with a wet stamp in black ink on the back on the secondary support: "ROIL Photography. Zapiola 166 . Rio gallegos". Measurements: 20.5 x 30.5 cm. Work in good condition, framed.

The image was obtained by Bernardo Roil around the 1990s and shows us an interesting backlit scene; Against the misty background of the mountains, two muleteers and their dogs are driving the flock of sheep towards the corrals. They are traveling Route No. 15 towards Lago Roca and in front of Estancia "Anita" in the province of Santa Cruz.

We can affirm that Bernardo Roil successfully follows in the footsteps of his famous grandfather, the German Walter Roil (1904-1989), who, on November 17, 1934, opened a modest photographic store in the town of Río Gallegos, which he directed until his death at 85 years of age. Over time and with a great historical vision, Walter created one of the best photographic archives in Patagonia, especially on local customs, a collection that also increased that of his son, Juan Roil.

We appreciate the information provided by Bernardo Roil and Guillermo Gallardo.

Abel Alexander.

President of the Ibero-American Society for the History of Photography.

S.O.XVII-GDL