The lone farmer

A person is working on red agricultural machinery in a green field. A herd of cows grazes in the background, with trees and a cloudy sky visible.

“The lone farmer”
Location: Las Brujas, Canelones, Uruguay
Date: May 2024
Photographer: Marcelo Dapino
Affiliation: Faculty
Home Country: United States
Category: Arts & Culture
2026 International Photography Exhibition

“Farmer Sebastian "Tato" Fernandez pauses mid-labor while adjusting his agricultural machinery. Tato largely works alone now that his daughters have grown and moved to the city. Small farms like his, with roughly 100 acres of fertile land, remain an important component of Uruguay's economy. I took this photograph while visiting Canelones, Uruguay, wanting to document a candid glimpse into everyday rural life. Tato's traditional boina (beret) serves as an enduring symbol of the gaucho identity and the quiet ruggedness, pride, and resiliency of the Uruguayan countryside.”