Alberto Korda (1928–2001) - (XL) "Llegada a Moscú 1963"

Extraordinary Auction: "Alberto Korda, personal archive". Original photographs from Alberto Korda's personal archive, certified by his sole universal heir, Diana Díaz Lopez. Note about this particular photograph: * (XXL) "Arrival in Moscow", Fidel Castro on his first trip to the USSR, escorted by 2 MIG aircraft, Moscow, April 1963 + COA. It is important to know that this iconic image is one of the most sought-after and hardest-to-find photographs from Alberto Korda's work. A highly coveted image among collectors. * This photograph bears the photographer's stamp and Diana Diaz's signature on the back, authenticating the photograph + COA. It is worth noting that copies produced after this period lost a lot of quality because the negatives aged and marks appeared, making it impossible to reproduce the same quality and intensity of tones as in the pieces 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 renowned Cuban photographer whose work not only defined the visual language of the Cuban Revolution but also became an icon of 20th-century history. Beyond his widely recognized 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 an artist deeply engaged with his time, a perceptive observer of his surroundings, and a visual chronicler of a historic 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 and unrepeatable opportunity to acquire pieces with a degree of authenticity and traceability practically 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, a level rarely achievable 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 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 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 and by inheritance authorized to validate Korda's work adds tangible and invaluable 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 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 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 seal 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 given 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 the ability to capture emotion, minimal gestures, and human dignity, even in complex contexts. His humanist style, deeply, continues to be studied in art and photography academies for its aesthetic precision and its narrative charge. Korda was not a mere witness to history. He was its visual interpreter, a poet in black and white. 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 enrich their collections with 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 significance of each photograph. Transforms these pieces into highly valuable collectible items whose prestige and market value 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. 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 a 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 later applied 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 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 the ideals of social justice, literacy, and sovereignty. His work is characterized by an intense emotional charge and a ability to find beauty and humanity in any scene. Korda claimed that his photography was “of soul, not of technique,” and that authenticity is felt in every one of his compositions. His style is marked by natural light, close framing, and a deeply humanistic 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 determined gaze, and wind-swept hair, the Che appears as a symbol of rebellion and determination. 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 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 charged for its use — except when it was used for commercial purposes, 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 made headlines, Korda’s work is vast and goes far beyond that image. His archive includes: • Close-up 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 Miliciana, 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 dedicated to Cuban women, 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 highest prestige worldwide. Korda is regarded as one of the most influential documentary photographers of the 20th century, and his work has value that is artistic, as well as historical, political, and cultural. 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 a 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. Important: The photographs will be shipped well protected to arrive to their recipient in perfect condition.

估價:$1,680.66

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