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All auctions / Photographs / Alberto Korda (1928–2001) - Discurso de 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: * Fidel Castro stands with determination from the podium at Revolution Square, before thousands of Cubans, during the act commemorating the VII Anniversary of the revolutionary triumph, on January 2, 1966. Flanked by two reporters capturing the moment with their cameras, Fidel delivers a fiery speech in the context of marking the VII Anniversary of the revolutionary triumph. That day, the revolutionary leader insisted that the embargo imposed by the United States would not break the Cuban people’s determination, and he called to strengthen the internal economy, especially in agricultural and industrial sectors. He also spoke of the need to deepen education, health, and national defense, urging everyone to stay vigilant and united against foreign aggression. Taken together, the image conveys the weight of the podium and the pulse of power on a key date when Fidel was consolidating his social project and facing the challenge of isolation. A powerful photograph, rich in symbolism, ideal for those seeking pieces with strong visual impact and documentary relevance. * This photograph bears the photographer’s dry stamp + COA. It is important to note that copies created after this period lost much of their quality, as the negatives deteriorated over the years and marks appeared that made it impossible to reproduce the quality and intensity of the tones like the ones 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 Alberto Korda’s personal archive is made available to the public, the famous Cuban photographer whose work not only defined the visual landscape of the Cuban Revolution but also became an icon of twentieth-century history. Beyond his renowned authorship of the iconic 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 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 with no defined origin: they come directly from the artist’s personal archive, and they represent a unique and unrepeatable opportunity to acquire pieces with a degree of authenticity and traceability virtually 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 invaluable 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 heir legally recognized 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 empowered 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 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 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 secure investment, a mark of exclusivity, and protection against the proliferation of counterfeit or unverified prints circulating 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 sensibility 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 in complex contexts. His deeply humanist style continues to be 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 — carefully safeguarded 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 incorporate a piece of contemporary history signed by one of its visual protagonists into 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 significance of each photograph. Translates these pieces into highly valuable collectible items whose prestige and value will only rise over time. In the art world, few opportunities combine history, exclusivity, provenance, and authentication with such force 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 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 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 changed radically from 1959, with the victory 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 Revolución newspaper. His closeness to the revolutionary leaders afforded 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 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 the 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 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 steadfast 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 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 for rights to its use — except when it was used for commercial purposes, such as 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 made 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 Revolution’s diplomatic reach. • 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 the one dedicated to Cuban women, who 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 catalogs, and his works form part of private and public collections of the highest prestige worldwide. Korda is regarded as 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 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 are other illustrated photographs. Important: The photographs will be securely packed to arrive in perfect condition to their recipient.
Estimate:$1,121.28
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