Alberto Korda (1928–2001) - Campesinos en discurso de la...

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Alberto Korda (1928–2001) - Campesinos en discurso de la...

Extraordinary Auction: "Alberto Korda, personal archive". Original photographs from the personal archive of Alberto Korda, certified by his sole universal heir, Diana Díaz López. Note about this photograph in particular: * A group of farmers with their traditional straw hats watches attentively, eyes slightly raised toward the point where Fidel Castro was delivering a speech. The scene, captured in the early days of the Cuban Revolution, reflects popular fervor and the hope for social transformation. In the center, a smiling farmer stands out, his face lit by a blend of enthusiasm and pride. On his hat can be read: “Patria Muerte Estamos Venciendo – Batallón N.º 116,” a handwritten declaration that reinforces the intensity of the moment. A powerful image that condenses the connection between the leader and his people, and the genuine commitment of those who believed in a different future from the very heart of the Cuban countryside. * This photograph bears the photographer’s dry stamp + COA. It is important to know that later copies from this era lost much of their quality because the negatives deteriorated over the years, leaving marks that made it impossible to reproduce the same level of quality and tonal intensity as the ones we offer. An unprecedented proposal of historical, artistic, and documentary value In the world of art and documentary photography, there are moments that mark a before and after. This auction represents one of them. For the first time, the public is offered an exclusive selection of original photographs from Alberto Korda’s personal archive, the renowned Cuban photographer whose work not only defined the visual language of the Cuban Revolution but also became an icon of twentieth-century history. Beyond his recognized authorship of the iconic portrait of Ernesto “Che” Guevara —an image that has transcended cultures as a symbol of rebellion, dignity, and idealism— becoming the most reproduced image in human history. Korda was an artist deeply committed to his time, a sensitive observer of his environment, and a visual chronicler of an unprecedented political, social, and human process. The works presented in this auction are not mere reproductions or copies without a defined origin: they come directly from the artist’s personal archive, and they represent a unique, unrepeatable opportunity to acquire pieces with a degree of authenticity and traceability virtually impossible to find today in the international market. One can observe in the blacks of the photographs the extreme image quality directly from the negative, a level rarely attainable in later copies. Guaranteed authenticity: The priceless value of the certificate signed by Diana Díaz. The element that definitively distinguishes this collection is that each photograph is delivered with an authenticity certificate issued and personally signed by Diana Díaz, the sole legally recognized universal heir of Alberto Korda’s estate by her father and the only person authorized to certify the work. This detail, far from being a mere documentary formality, constitutes an absolute guarantee of origin, legitimacy, and authenticity of the work. In the art world, provenance is a decisive factor, and having the direct endorsement of the person legally and by inheritance authorized to validate Korda’s work adds tangible and invaluable intangible value. Diana Díaz has been, for decades, the guardian of her father’s personal archive, and her role as custodian of that legacy has been acknowledged both in Cuba and internationally. No one else in the world has the legal authority to issue authenticity certificates for Alberto Korda’s works. Therefore, acquiring a photograph with her certifying signature is to secure a direct and legitimate link to the author, his original archive, and his family history. In the art market, this legitimacy is more than a guarantee: it is a safe investment, a mark of exclusivity, and protection against the proliferation of counterfeit copies or unverified prints that circulate without backing. A living legacy: Art, revolution, and humanity The photographs available in this auction reflect different facets of Korda’s gaze: from intimate portraits of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, to spontaneous scenes of the Cuban people, revolutionary women, children in schools, workers, parades, and moments of deep social symbolism. Each image encapsulates the energy of a era and the sensibility of an artist who knew how to portray not only the leaders but also the soul of the people. The beauty of his work lies in the ability to capture emotion, the minimal gesture, and human dignity, even in complex contexts. His humanist style remains studied in art and photography academies for its aesthetic precision and narrative weight. Korda was not merely a witness to history. He was its visual interpreter, its poet in black and white. And his personal archive—carefully safeguarded to this day—represents a vast artistic and documentary reservoir of immense historical value. An exclusive opportunity for collectors and institutions This event is not only relevant for private collectors but also for cultural institutions, museums, archives, foundations, and universities that wish to add a piece of contemporary history signed by one of its visual protagonists to their collections. The combination of: • Direct provenance from the author’s archive. • Personal and legal certification by Diana Díaz. • The image quality, aesthetics, and historical value of each photograph. Turns these pieces into collection elements of extremely high cultural and economic value, whose prestige and valuation will only increase over time. In the art world, few opportunities combine history, exclusivity, provenance, and authentication with such force as this. This is not just art. It is living history. Biography of ALBERTO KORDA (1928-2001). Alberto Korda: The Eye of the Cuban Revolution. The beginnings: From fashion to revolution Born Alberto Díaz Gutiérrez in Havana, Cuba, on September 14, 1928, Korda began his career in commercial and fashion photography. During the 1950s, he founded a studio with his partner, specializing in portraits of celebrities, models, and advertising. His talent for framing, light, and composition already stood out at this early stage, and his images revealed a refined aesthetic sensibility that he would later apply to an entirely different context. However, his destiny changed radically from 1959, with the triumph of the Revolution led by Fidel Castro. Fascinated by the energy and idealism of the new political process, Korda devoted himself to documenting social change from within, becoming the official photographer for the newspaper Revolución. His closeness to the revolutionary leaders gave him privileged access to intimate scenes, historic speeches, diplomatic trips, and everyday moments of revolutionary life. A visual testimony of the Revolution Korda was an exceptional witness to some of the most emblematic moments in Cuba’s contemporary history. Over more than a decade, he captured in black and white Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, Camilo Cienfuegos, Raúl Castro, and a variety of figures from the revolutionary process, as well as the Cuban people in their daily life: farmers, workers, children, and women who embodied the ideals of social justice, literacy, and sovereignty. His work is characterized by an intense emotional charge and an ability to find beauty and humanity in any scene. Korda used to say that his photography was “from the soul, not from technique,” and that authenticity is felt in every one of his compositions. His style is marked by natural light, close framing, and a deeply humanist gaze. The immortal image: Guerrillero Heroico On March 5, 1960, during a funeral for the victims of the La Coubre ship explosion in Havana, Korda took what would become the most iconic photograph of the 20th century: the portrait of Ernesto “Che” Guevara, later titled Guerrillero Heroico. With a grave expression, a determined look, and hair blown by the wind, Che appears as a symbol of rebellion and determination. Curiously, the image was not published by the Revolución newspaper the following day, and Korda kept it as part of his personal archive. Years later, the photograph was reproduced and widely disseminated, becoming a global symbol of resistance, idealism, and struggle against oppression. It was adopted by social movements around the world, from May ’68 to civil rights campaigns. Despite the image’s popularity, Korda never charged for its use — except when it was used for commercial purposes, such as in a vodka advertising campaign, which led Korda to sue and win the case, donating the proceeds to Cuban public health. Beyond Che: An invaluable archive Although Guerrillero Heroico grabbed the headlines, Korda’s work is vast and goes far beyond that image. His archive includes: • Close portraits of Fidel Castro, in moments of concentration, relaxation, or leadership. • Scenes of the Cuban people, particularly women and children, highlighting dignity, hope, and everyday beauty. • Documentation of international missions, such as trips to the USSR and Africa, showing the Revolution’s diplomatic projection. • Symbolic images, such as the miliciana, the girl with the wooden doll, David and Goliath, where the contrast between violence and poetry creates a deeply moving effect. Korda believed that one of his most important series was the one dedicated to Cuban women, whom he portrayed as active protagonists of the revolutionary process. With these images, he helped challenge traditional gender roles and celebrate female strength. Legacy and international recognition Alberto Korda passed away in Paris in 2001 while attending an exhibition of his work. His legacy, however, has continued to grow, with exhibitions in museums and galleries around the world. His archive has been the subject of numerous publications and catalogs, and his works are part of private and public collections of the highest prestige. Korda is considered one of the most influential documentary photographers of the twentieth century, and his work has value not only artistic but also historical, political, and cultural. Each image offered in this auction is a window into the heart of a revolution, seen through the lens of an artist committed to his people and his history. Owning a work by Alberto Korda is much more than acquiring a photograph: it is safeguarding a memory, it is engaging with history, and it is paying tribute to an art that transformed politics into visual poetry. Note: Some descriptions are accompanied by illustrations from books about this image; the books shown are not included with the photograph for sale. The illustrative portraits of photographer Alberto Korda are also not included in the sale nor other illustrative photographs. Important: The photographs will be shipped well protected so they arrive to their recipient in perfect condition.

Estimate:£675.86

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