Alberto Korda (1928–2001) - Imponente imagen de un Fidel...

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: * Impressive image of Fidel Castro taken from a lower angle, which emphasizes his presence and authority. Dressed in his usual olive green military uniform, Fidel stands firm in the composition, conveying leadership, determination, and absolute control of the moment. The framing chosen by Korda is no accident: it elevates Fidel’s figure to almost become a symbol, highlighting his role as a guide of the Revolution. A photograph of great visual power, sober yet intense, that captures the essence of power and the charisma of one of the most iconic leaders of the 20th century. * This photograph bears the photographer’s dry stamp + COA. It is important to note that later copies from this period lost much of their quality as the negatives deteriorated over the years and left marks that made it impossible to reproduce the level of quality and tonal intensity in the prints we offer. An unprecedented historical, artistic, and documentary value proposition 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 famous Cuban photographer whose work not only defined the visual imagery of the Cuban Revolution but also became an icon of 20th-century history. Beyond his widely recognized 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 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, representing a unique, unrepeatable opportunity to acquire pieces with a degree of authenticity and traceability practically 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 achievable in later copies. Authenticity guaranteed: The incalculable value of the certificate signed by Diana Díaz. The element that definitively distinguishes this collection is that each photograph is delivered accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued and personally signed by Diana Díaz, the sole universal legal heir recognized by law of Alberto Korda’s legacy, and the only person authorized to certify the work. 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 decisive factor, and having the direct endorsement of the person legally and by inheritance authorized to validate Korda’s work adds an invaluable tangible and intangible value. Diana Díaz has been, for decades, the custodian of her father’s personal archive, and her role as guardian of that legacy has been recognized 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 certifying signature ensures 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 secure investment, a mark of exclusivity, and protection against the proliferation of counterfeit 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 captures 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, the minimal gesture, and human dignity, even in complex contexts. His deeply humanist style remains studied in art and photography academies for its aesthetic precision and narrative weight. Korda was not a mere witness to history. He was its visual interpreter, a poet in black and white. And his personal archive — zealously safeguarded to this day — represents an 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 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 by Diana Díaz. • The image quality, aesthetics, and historical significance 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. In the art world, few opportunities combine history, exclusivity, provenance, and authentication with such force as this. This is not just about art. It is about living history. ALBERTO KORDA BIOGRAPHY (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 already stood out in this early stage, and his images revealed a refined aesthetic sensitivity that he would later apply to a very different context. However, his fate 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 dedicated himself to documenting social change from within, becoming the official photographer for 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 in black and white Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, Camilo Cienfuegos, Raúl Castro, and a range of players 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 an 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 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, firm gaze, 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 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 around the world, from May ’68 to civil rights campaigns. Despite the image’s popularity, Korda never charged rights for its use — except when it was used for commercial purposes, as in one 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 extends far beyond that image. His archive includes: • Close portraits of Fidel Castro, in moments of concentration, relaxation, or leadership. • Scenes of the Cuban people, especially 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 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 believed one of his most important series was devoted to Cuban women, whom he portrayed as active protagonists of the revolutionary process. With these images, he helped to 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 worldwide. Korda is considered one of the most influential documentary photographers of the 20th century, and his work has not only artistic value but also historical, political, and cultural significance. 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 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. 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 in perfect condition to their recipient.

Estimation:€800

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