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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 López. Note about this particular photograph: * "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 Alberto Korda's personal archive is 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 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 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, unrepeatable opportunity to acquire pieces with a degree of authenticity and traceability nearly 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; rarely can this level of quality be achieved 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 with an authenticity certificate issued and personally signed by Diana Díaz, the sole legally recognized universal heir of Alberto Korda's legacy by his father and the only person authorized to certify the work. 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 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 one else in the world has the legal authority to issue authenticity certificates for Alberto Korda's works. Therefore, acquiring a photograph with her certification signature is to secure a direct and legitimate link with 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 seal 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 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 amid complex contexts. His humanist style, deeply, continues to be studied in art and photography academies for its aesthetic precision and narrative load. Korda was not a mere witness of history. He was its visual interpreter, the poet in black and white. And his personal archive — jealously guarded until today — represents an 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 collection 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, provenance, and authentication with such strength as this. 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 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, where they specialized 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 an aesthetic sensibility refined enough to later apply to a very different context. However, his fate 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 closeness 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 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 claimed that his photography was “from the soul, not from 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 most iconic photograph of the 20th century: the portrait of Ernesto “Che” Guevara, later titled Guerrillero Heroico. With a grave expression, a resolute gaze, and wind-blown hair, the Che appears as a symbol of rebellion and determination. Interestingly, the image was not published by the newspaper Revolución the following day, and Korda kept it as part of his personal archive. Years later, the photograph was widely reproduced and disseminated, becoming a global symbol of resistance, idealism, and the struggle 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 advertisement 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 made the headlines, Korda's work is vast and goes far beyond that image. His archive includes: • Close portraits of Fidel Castro, during 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 revolutionary diplomacy. • Symbolic images, such as the militia woman, 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 that 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 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 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 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. Important: The photographs will be sent well protected so that they reach their recipient in perfect condition.
Estimate:$897.03
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Estimate:
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