Alberto Korda (1928–2001) - Recorrido de Fidel Castro por Isla de Pinos

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’s tour of Isla de Pinos, Cuba, 1966 + COA. * This photograph bears the photographer’s dry stamp + COA. It is important to know that copies from later periods lost much of their quality because the negatives deteriorated over the years and left marks that made reproductions with the same quality and tonal intensity as these impossible to achieve, as 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 renowned Cuban photographer whose work not only visually defined the Cuban Revolution, but became an icon in 20th-century history. Beyond his well-known authorship of the iconic 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 a deeply committed artist 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, representing a unique, unrepeatable opportunity to acquire pieces with a degree of authenticity and traceability virtually impossible to find today in the international market. The deep blacks in the photographs reveal extreme image quality directly from the negative; this level of quality is rarely achieved in later copies. Guaranteed authenticity: The priceless value of the certificate signed by Diana Díaz. The element that definitively distinguishes this collection is that each photograph comes with an authenticity certificate issued and personally signed by Diana Díaz, the ONLY legally recognized Universal heir of Alberto Korda’s legacy by his father and the only person authorized to certify the work in the world. 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 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 ensures a direct and legitimate bond 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 apocryphal copies or unverified prints circulating 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 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 his ability to capture emotion, the minimal gesture, and human dignity, even amidst 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 of history. He was its visual interpreter, its black-and-white poet. And his personal archive — zealously 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 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. • Personal and legal certification by Diana Díaz. • The image quality, aesthetic, and historical significance of each photograph. Turns these pieces into collections of the highest cultural and economic value, whose prestige and price will only increase over time. 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 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 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 turned 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 contemporary Cuban history. Over more than a decade, he captured in black and white Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, Camilo Cienfuegos, Raúl Castro, and a diverse cast of revolutionaries, 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 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 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 determined look, and hair blown by the wind, the Che appears as a symbol of rebellion and resolve. Curiously, the image was not published by the Revolución newspaper the following 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 struggle against oppression. It was adopted by social movements around the world, from May ’68 in France to civil rights campaigns. Although the image’s popularity grew, Korda never charged rights 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 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 projection. • Symbolic images, such as the miliciana (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 devoted 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 are part of private and public collections of the world’s greatest prestige. Korda is regarded as one of the most influential documentary photographers of the 20th century, and his work holds artistic, historical, political, and cultural value. 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. Some photographs on the back of the image bear mounting marks from having been displayed in a Paris exhibition, but they do not damage the front image in any way. Important: The photographs will be shipped well protected so they arrive to their recipient in perfect condition.

Stima:€1,000

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