Alberto Korda (1928–2001) - Fidel Castro fumando puro y...

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 particular photograph: Fidel Castro smoking a cigar and playing chess in Santiago de Cuba, 1962 + COA. * This photograph bears the photographer’s dry seal + 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 same quality and tonal intensity as these which 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, an exclusive selection of original photographs from the personal archive of Alberto Korda, the celebrated Cuban photographer whose work not only defined the visual aspect of the Cuban Revolution but also became an icon of 20th-century history, is made available to the public. Beyond his renowned authorship of the mythical 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 a 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 without a defined origin: they come directly from the artist’s personal archive, and represent a unique and unrepeatable opportunity to acquire pieces with a degree of authenticity and traceability practically impossible to find today in the international market. The extreme image quality visible in the blacks of the photographs shows the image’s outstanding quality directly from the negative; this level of quality is rarely achievable in later copies. Authenticity guaranteed: The priceless value of the certificate signed by Diana Díaz. The element that definitively distinguishes this collection is that each photograph is delivered accompanied by 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 in the world. This detail, far from being a mere documentary formality, constitutes an absolute guarantee of the 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 authorized by law and by inheritance to validate Korda’s work adds tangible and incalculable intangible value. Diana Díaz has, for decades, been the caretaker of her father’s personal archive, and her role as guardian of that legacy has been recognized 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 guarantees a direct and legitimate connection 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 bygone 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, the minimal gesture and human dignity, even in complex contexts. His deeply humanist style is still 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, the black-and-white poet. 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 for private collectors but also for cultural institutions, museums, archives, foundations and universities that wish to add a piece of contemporary history to their collections, signed by one of its visual protagonists. 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 collection items of the highest cultural and economic value, whose prestige and value will only increase over time. 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 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 dedicated himself to documenting the social change from within, becoming the official photographer of the newspaper Revolución. His proximity to the revolutionary leaders allowed privileged access to intimate scenes, historic speeches, diplomatic trips and daily 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 participants 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 stated 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 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 gaze and wind in his hair, the Che appears as a symbol of rebellion and resolve. Curiously, the image was not published by the Revolución newspaper the next 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 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 health. Beyond the Che: An invaluable archive Although Guerrillero Heroico hogged 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 Revolutionary diplomacy. • Symbolic images, such as the militiawoman, the girl with the stick doll, David and Goliath, where the contrast between violence and poetry creates a deeply moving effect. Korda believed one of his most important series was 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 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. 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 not included in the sale nor are other illustrative photographs. Some photographs on the back of the image have mounting marks from being exhibited in a Paris exhibition, but they do not damage the front image at all. Important: The photographs will be shipped well protected to arrive to their recipient in perfect condition."}

Estimation:€1,000

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