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All auctions / Photographs / Alberto Korda (1928–2001) - Che Guevara y Fidel Castro...
Extraordinary auction: "Alberto Korda, personal archive". Original photographs from Alberto Korda's personal archive, certified by his sole universal heir, Diana Díaz Lopez. Note about this photograph in particular: * "Che Guevara and Fidel Castro playing golf at Villareal Golf Club, Havana, Cuba, 1961 + COA." 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 renowned Cuban photographer whose work not only defined the visual language of the Cuban Revolution but also became an icon of 20th-century history, is being made available to the public. Beyond his renowned authorship of the legendary 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 era, 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 defined provenance: 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 virtually impossible to find today on the international market. One can observe in the blacks of the photographs the extreme image quality directly from the negative, a level of quality rarely attainable in later copies. Guaranteed authenticity: The incalculable value of the certificate signed by Diana Díaz. The element that definitively sets this collection apart 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 legacy, 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 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 and by inheritance authorized to validate Korda's work adds tangible and intangible value that is incalculable. Diana Díaz has been, for decades, 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 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 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 secure investment, a mark of exclusivity and protection against the proliferation of counterfeit copies or unchecked 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 period 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 amidst complex contexts. His deeply humanist style 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 relevant not only for private collectors but also for cultural institutions, museums, archives, foundations and universities that wish to incorporate into 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 personal and legal certification of Diana Díaz. • The image quality, aesthetics and historical significance of each photograph. Turns these pieces into highly valuable collectible items, whose prestige and market 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 art. This is living history. Biografía de 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 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 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 turned to documenting social change from within, becoming the official photographer of the newspaper Revolución. His closeness 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 variety of actors in 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 maintained that his photography was “of the soul, not of technique,” and that authenticity is felt in each 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 century's most iconic photograph: the portrait of Ernesto “Che” Guevara, later titled Guerrillero Heroico. With a grave expression, a determined gaze and wind-blown hair, the Che appears as a symbol of rebellion and resolve. Interestingly, 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 the fight against oppression. It was adopted by social movements around the world, from May 1968 to civil rights campaigns. Despite the image's popularity, Korda never charged rights 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 headlines, Korda's work is vast and goes far beyond that image. His archive includes: • Close portraits of Fidel Castro, in moments of focus, relaxation or leadership. • Scenes of the Cuban people, particularly women and children, in which dignity, hope and everyday beauty stand out. • Documentation of international missions, such as travels 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 one of his most important series was the one devoted 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 catalogues, and his works form 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 is valuable not only artistically but also historically, politically and culturally. Each image offered in this auction is a window into the heart of a revolution, viewed through the lens of an artist committed to his people and their history. Possessing a work by Alberto Korda is more than acquiring a photograph: it is safeguarding a memory, engaging in 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 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. Important: The photographs will be sent well protected to reach their recipient in perfect condition.
Estimate:$897.03
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Estimate:
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OCT 17 | 10:00 PM
