Alberto Korda (1928–2001) - (XL) Che Guevara fotógrafo en...

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: * (XL) Che Guevara photographer at Hemingway's fishing tournament alongside Fidel Castro, 1959. * This photograph bears ALBERTO KORDA'S SIGNATURE + signature on the back by his sole universal heir Diana Diaz authenticating the work. It is important to know that copies produced after this period lost much of their quality as the negatives deteriorated over the years and stained marks appeared that made it impossible to reproduce the same quality and tonal intensity as the ones we offer. An unprecedented historical, artistic and documentary value proposal 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 renowned Cuban photographer whose work not only defined the visual image 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 multiple 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 with no 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 extraordinary image quality directly from the negative; this level of quality in copies produced later is rarely achieved. Authenticity guaranteed: The incalculable value of the signature of his only universal heir, Diana Díaz. 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 authorized by inheritance to validate Korda's work adds tangible and intangible value that is incalculable. 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 one else in the world has the legal authority to issue authenticity certificates for Alberto Korda's works. Therefore, acquiring a photograph with her certified 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 apocryphal 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 profound social symbolism. Each image encapsulates the energy of an 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 the ability to capture emotion, the minimal gesture and human dignity, even in complex contexts. His deeply humanist style 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 black-and-white poet. And his personal archive — jealously 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 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 photographer himself and the personal signature of Diana Díaz. • The image quality, aesthetics and historical value of each photograph. Translates these pieces into collection items of extremely high cultural and economic value, whose prestige and value will only increase over time. This is not just art. This is living history. Biography of ALBERTO KORDA (1928-2001). Alberto Korda: The eye of the Cuban Revolution. Origins: 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 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 dedicated 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 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: 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 stated 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: Ernesto “Che” Guevara, later titled Guerrillero Heroico. With a grave expression, a firm stare and windblown hair, 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 widely reproduced and disseminated, becoming a global symbol of resistance, idealism and struggle against oppression. It was adopted by social movements around the world, from May ’68 in France to civil rights campaigns. Despite the popularity of the image, Korda never charged fees 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 dominated 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 daily beauty. • Documentation of international missions, such as trips to the USSR and Africa, showing the diplomatic projection of the Revolution. • 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 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 catalogues, 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. 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 illustrative photographs. Important: The photographs will be shipped well protected so that they reach their recipient in perfect condition.

Estimate:$2,801.1

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