Yataytí Corá, 2 de julio de 1866

López employed a straightforward, unrefined technique characteristic of naïve realism. Brushwork is direct, with minimal detail in forms and a restrained palette dominated by deep blues and blacks. The calm water acts as a mirror for the sky’s faint starlight, creating a sense of depth without perspective tricks. The composition prioritizes mood over accuracy, emphasizing atmosphere over military precision.

Created shortly after the battle, the painting was likely made by López as a personal record of his wartime experience. It remained in private hands until acquired by the National Museum of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires, where it entered the public collection in the late 19th or early 20th century. Its survival is notable, as few artworks from the conflict were preserved by participants themselves.

López painted during a period when Argentina was redefining its national identity through visual culture. While official histories favored heroic narratives, his work offered a quieter, more personal counterpoint. His status as a soldier-artist gave him unique access to the war’s emotional texture, distinguishing his output from the more stylized battle scenes produced by academic painters of the era.

Though not widely exhibited, *Yataytí Corá* remains a significant artifact for its authenticity and emotional restraint. It contributes to a small but important body of Argentine war art that prioritizes personal testimony over propaganda. Scholars value it as a rare example of a combatant’s unembellished visual diary, offering insight into the psychological weight of war beyond the battlefield.