Alberto Korda (1928–2001) - Niño campesino sobre un arbol en Sierra Maestra

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: * A rural child, wearing his typical straw hat, sits on a tree, gazing intently at the camera with a mix of curiosity and intensity. The scene was captured by Alberto Korda in 1962, in the heart of the Sierra Maestra, indisputable cradle of the Cuban Revolution. This image, one of the most symbolic of Korda’s most intimate and humanist work, goes far beyond a rural portrait. The choice of location —the mountains of Santiago de Cuba where the guerrilla nucleus led by Fidel Castro emerged— makes the child the silent heir to a story still beating. His presence in the tree suggests vigilance, hope, and at the same time a direct connection with the land that gave rise to revolutionary change. The contrast between the child’s innocence and the historical weight of the landscape makes this photograph a work of great poetic and artistic strength. * This photograph bears the photographer’s dry seal + COA. It is important to know that copies produced after this period lost much of their quality because the negatives deteriorated over the years and marks appeared that made it impossible to reproduce the same level of quality and tonal intensity as 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 put at the disposal of the public, the renowned Cuban photographer whose work not only defined the visual dimension 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 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. One can notice in the blacks of the photographs the extreme image quality directly from the negative, a level rarely attainable 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 to 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 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 incalculable 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 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 safe investment, a mark of exclusivity, and protection against the proliferation of counterfeit copies or unchecked 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 a 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, the minimal gesture, and human dignity, even in complex contexts. His humanist style remains studied in art and photography schools for its aesthetic precision and narrative weight. Korda was not a mere witness to history. He was its visual interpreter, its black-and-white poet. And his personal archive — zealously safeguarded to this day — represents an artistic and documentary treasury 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 holdings, 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 collection items of extremely high cultural and economic value, whose prestige and price 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. It is living history. Biographical sketch 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 in this early stage, and his images revealed a refined aesthetic sensibility that he would later apply to a very different context. However, his path 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 for 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 actors in the revolutionary process, as well as the Cuban people in their daily life: peasants, workers, children, and women who embodied 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 his photography was “of 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, a steadfast gaze, and wind-swept hair, the Che appears as a symbol of rebellion and determination. Curiously, the image was not published by Revolución 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 ’68 to civil rights campaigns. Despite the image’s popularity, Korda never collected 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, donating the proceeds to Cuban public health. Beyond Che: An invaluable archive Although Guerrillero Heroico dominated the headlines, Korda’s work is vast and goes far beyond that single 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 Republic’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 considered one of his most important series the one dedicated to Cuban women, portraying them 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 are part of private and public collections of the highest prestige. Korda is considered one of the most influential documentary photographers of the 20th century, and his work carries 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, viewed through the lens of an artist committed to his people and his history. Possessing 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, nor are other illustrative photographs. Important: The photographs will be shipped well protected to arrive at their destination in perfect condition."

Estimate:$1,120.44

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