Alberto Korda (1928–2001) - (XXL) "Guerrillero Heroico"...

"Alberto Korda, personal archive". Original photographs from Alberto Korda's personal archive, by his sole universal heiress, Diana Díaz Lopez. Note about this particular photograph: * (XXL) "Guerrillero Heroico" (The photograph that made photographer Alberto Korda famous and the most reproduced image in human history). * NOTE: Very rarely does an Original copy of the "Guerrillero Heroico" in this XL size go on sale. Photograph taken at the funeral of the La Coubre steamship sabotage, Havana, Cuba, 1960. That day Che Guevara had an asthma attack and was at the rear of the authorities’ tribune, but he leaned for a moment to the front of the tribune and that is when Alberto Korda snapped his camera, producing one of the most important photographs in history and, from that moment, becoming a legend. It is important to note that copies made after this period lost much of their quality because the negative deteriorated over the years and marks appeared that made reproductions of the same quality and tonal intensity as the one we offer practically impossible. 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, an exclusive selection of original photographs from Alberto Korda's personal archive is made available to the public, the renowned Cuban photographer whose work not only defined the visual language of the Cuban Revolution but also became an icon of 20th-century history. Beyond his acknowledged 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 surroundings and a visual chronicler of an unprecedented political, social, and human process. The works presented in this auction are not mere reproductions or copies with no defined origin: they come directly from the artist's personal archive, and they represent a unique and irreproducible opportunity to acquire pieces with a level of authenticity and traceability almost impossible to find today in the international market. You can observe in the blacks of the photographs the extreme image quality directly from the negative, a level of quality rarely achievable in later copies. Diana Díaz has for decades been the caretaker of her father's personal archive, and her work as guardian of that legacy has been recognized both in Cuba and internationally. 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 an 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 depth. Korda was not a mere witness to history. He was its visual interpreter, its black-and-white poet. And his personal archive — guarded to this day — represents a vast artistic and documentary reservoir of enormous 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 to their collections a piece of contemporary history signed by one of its visual protagonists. The combination of: • Direct provenance from the author's archive. • The image quality, aesthetic, and historical value of each photograph. Turns these pieces into collector items of the highest cultural and economic value, whose prestige and market value will only increase over time. In the art world, few opportunities combine history, exclusivity, and provenance. It is not just about art. It is about living history. Biography of ALBERTO KORDA (1928-2001). Alberto Korda: The Eye of the Cuban Revolution. The beginnings: From fashion to revolution Born as 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, where they specialized in portraits of celebrities, models, and advertising. His talent for framing, light, and composition was already evident in this early stage, and his images revealed a refined aesthetic sensibility that he would later apply to a very different context. However, his destiny radically changed 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 of the newspaper Revolución. His proximity 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 Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, Camilo Cienfuegos, Raúl Castro, and a variety of actors in the revolutionary process, as well as the Cuban people in their everyday life: peasants, workers, children, and women who embodied ideals of social justice, literacy, and sovereignty. His work is characterized by an intense emotional charge and a ability to find beauty and humanity in any scene. Korda claimed that his photography was “of the soul, not of technique,” and that authenticity is felt in every one of his compositions. His style is marked by the use of natural light, close framing, and a deeply humanistic 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 gaze, and wind-blown hair, Che appears as a symbol of rebellion and resolve. 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 worldwide, from May ’68 to civil rights campaigns. Despite the image's popularity, Korda never claimed rights for its use — except when 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 made 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, where dignity, hope, and everyday beauty stand out. • Documentation of international missions, such as trips to the USSR and Africa, showing the Revolution's diplomatic reach. • Symbolic images, such as the Miliciana, the girl with the stick doll, David and Goliath, where the contrast between violence and poetry creates a deeply moving effect. Korda considered one of his most important series to be 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 died 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 catalogues, and his works form part of private and public collections of the highest prestige in the world. Korda is considered one of the most influential documentary photographers of the 20th century, and his work has value not only artistically but also historically, politically, and culturally. 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, engaging in a dialogue with history, and 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. Illustrative portraits of photographer Alberto Korda are not included in the sale. Important: The photographs will be sent well protected so they reach their recipient in perfect condition.

Estimate:£2,091.08

View all items fromCatawikiorPhotographs