Alberto Korda (1928–2001) - "Niños de campesinos 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: * "Peasant children in the Sierra Maestra", Image showing how life was inside Cuba, 1962 + COA. * This photograph bears the photographer's dry seal + COA. It is important to note that later copies from this period lost much of their quality as the negatives deteriorated over the years, leaving marks that made it impossible to reproduce the same level of quality and intensity in the tones as in the prints 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, the public is offered an exclusive selection of original photographs from Alberto Korda's personal archive, the famous Cuban photographer whose work not only defined visually the Cuban Revolution, but also became an icon of 20th-century history. Beyond his renowned authorship of the mythical portrait of Ernesto “Che” Guevara—a 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 defined origin: they come directly from the artist's personal archive, and represent a unique, 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, 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 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 an invaluable tangible and intangible value. 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 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 mark of exclusivity and protection against the proliferation of counterfeit copies or unauthenticated prints that circulate 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 encapsulates the energy of a era and the sensitivity of an artist who knew how to portray not only leaders but also the soul of the people. The beauty of his work lies in its ability to capture emotion, minimal gesture and human dignity, even in complex contexts. His humanist style, deeply humanistic, is still 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 — still jealously safeguarded today — 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 to 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 value of each photograph. Turns these pieces into collection items of the highest cultural and economic value, whose prestige and price 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 about art. It is about 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 at this early stage, and his images revealed an aesthetic sensitivity that he would later apply to a very different context. However, his destiny 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 of the newspaper Revolución. His proximity to the revolutionary leaders gave him privileged access to intimate scenes, historic speeches, diplomatic trips and daily 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 load 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, the Che appears as a symbol of rebellion and determination. Curiously, the image was not published by the Revolución daily the next 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 ’68 to campaigns for civil rights. Despite the image's popularity, Korda never charged royalties 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 grabbed the 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 revolutionary’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 to be 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 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 in the world. Korda is regarded as one of the most influential documentary photographers of the XXth century, and his work has artistic, historical, political and cultural value. 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 their history. Possessing a work by Alberto Korda is much more than acquiring a photograph: it is safeguarding a memory, it is dialoguing with history, and it is 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 illustrated photographs. Important: The photographs will be shipped well protected so they reach their recipient in perfect condition.

Estimate:$672.26

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