Alberto Korda (1928–2001) - David y Goliat

Extraordinary Auction: "Alberto Korda, personal archive". Original photographs from Alberto Korda's personal archive, certified by his sole universal heir, Diana Díaz López. * Note about this photograph in particular: * "David and Goliath, Fidel Castro observing the Abraham Lincoln memorial, 1959 + COA." * This photograph bears the photographer’s dry stamp + COA. It is important to know that copies produced after this period lost a lot of quality as the negatives deteriorated over the years and left marks that made it impossible to reproduce the level of quality and tonal intensity like the ones we offer. An unprecedented historical, artistic and documentary value proposal 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 identity of the Cuban Revolution but also became an icon of twentieth-century history. Beyond his renowned attribution of the mythical portrait of Ernesto “Che” Guevara —a 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 era, a perceptive 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 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 almost impossible to find today on the international market. The extreme image quality of the photographs’ blacks can be observed, showing the image quality directly from the negative; this level of quality is rarely achievable in later copies. Guaranteed authenticity: The priceless value of the certificate signed by Diana Díaz. The defining element of this collection is that each photograph is delivered with an authenticity certificate issued and personally signed by Diana Díaz, the ONLY legally recognized universal heir of Alberto Korda’s legacy by his father and the only person authorized to certify the work worldwide. This detail, far from being a mere documentary formality, constitutes an absolute guarantee of origin, legitimacy and authenticity of the work. In the world of collecting, provenance is a determining factor, and having the direct endorsement of the person legally and by inheritance authorized to validate Korda’s work adds an immeasurable tangible and intangible value. Diana Díaz has been, for decades, the custodian of her father's personal archive, and her guardianship of that legacy has been recognized both in Cuba and internationally. No other person in the world has the legal authority to issue authenticity certificates for Alberto Korda’s works. Therefore, acquiring a photograph with her signing certification is to ensure 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 forged copies or unverified prints circulating without support. 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 sensitivity 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, minimal gesture and human dignity, even amidst complex contexts. His humanist-style, deeply humanistic approach continues to be studied in art and photography academies for its aesthetic precision and narrative charge. Korda was not a mere witness to history. He was its visual interpreter, its poet in black and white. And his personal archive — guarded jealously to this day — represents a vast artistic and documentary reserve of enormous historical value. An exclusive opportunity for collectors and institutions This event is not only relevant to private collectors but also to 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. • The personal and legal certification of Diana Díaz. • The image quality, aesthetics and historical value of each photograph. Turns these pieces into high-value collectible items, whose prestige and market value will only increase over time. This is not just art. This is living history. Biography of ALBERTO KORDA (1928-2001). Alberto Korda: The eye of the Cuban Revolution. The beginnings: From fashion to the 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, 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 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 dedicated himself to documenting social change from within, becoming official photographer for the newspaper Revolución. His proximity to the revolutionary leaders allowed 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 diversity of actors in the revolutionary process, as well as the Cuban people in their daily life: peasants, workers, children and women who embodied the ideals of social justice, literacy and sovereignty. His work is characterized by an intense emotional charge and a capacity 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 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 twentieth century: Ernesto “Che” Guevara’s portrait, 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 Revolución the following day, and Korda kept it as part of his personal archive. Years later, the photograph was reproduced and widely distributed, becoming a global symbol of resistance, idealism and the fight 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 royalties 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 healthcare. 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 daily 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 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 the most prestigious private and public collections in the world. Korda is regarded as one of the most influential documentary photographers of the twentieth century, and his work has value not only artistically but also historically, politically and culturally. Note: Some descriptions are accompanied by illustrations from books about the 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 that they arrive in perfect condition to their recipient.

Estimation:€1,000

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