Alberto Korda
Who was Alberto Korda?
Cuban photographer who captured the iconic 1960 portrait of Che Guevara titled 'Guerrillero Heroico.' This image became one of the most reproduced photographs in history and a symbol of revolutionary ideology.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Alberto Korda (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Alberto Díaz Gutiérrez, better known as Alberto Korda, was born on September 14, 1928, in Havana, Cuba. He became one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century, mainly because of one iconic image that went beyond photography. Starting as a fashion and commercial photographer in Cuba before the revolution, Korda ran a successful studio and worked for magazines and advertising agencies in the 1950s.
The Cuban Revolution in 1959 changed both Cuba and Korda's career. Fidel Castro's government saw the potential of visual propaganda, and Korda became an unofficial photographer for the revolution's leaders. He had access to important political figures and events, allowing him to document a significant time in Cuban history. On March 5, 1960, at a memorial service for the victims of the La Coubre explosion at Havana's Colon Cemetery, Korda captured his most famous photograph.
The image, later named 'Guerrillero Heroico,' shows Che Guevara in profile, with his long hair flowing under a black beret with a star. Korda took two shots of Guevara at the event, but the photograph wasn't widely published until after Guevara's death in Bolivia in 1967, when Italian publisher Giangiacomo Feltrinelli got a print and started distributing it.
Korda's photograph spread worldwide, appearing on posters, t-shirts, murals, and various other media. The image became a global symbol of rebellion and revolutionary ideals, used in contexts far from its Cuban roots. Despite the huge commercial success, Korda didn't get any royalties since Cuba didn't recognize international copyright laws.
Korda kept photographing in Cuba later in his life, capturing the island's culture, people, and scenery. He traveled internationally for exhibitions of his work and was a sought-after speaker on his experiences during the revolutionary period. Alberto Korda died on May 25, 2001, in Paris, France, while traveling for a photography exhibition. His death came amid ongoing legal battles over the unauthorized use of the Guerrillero Heroico image, highlighting the ongoing issues between art and commercial use.
Before Fame
Before the Cuban Revolution, Korda was a successful fashion and advertising photographer in Havana during the 1950s. He co-owned a photography studio called Korda Studios with Luis Pierce, focusing on commercial assignments for Cuban magazines and businesses. His technical skills and artistic eye made him a key figure in Havana's commercial photography scene.
The rise of Fidel Castro's revolutionary movement opened new opportunities for photographers interested in capturing political change. When the revolutionaries took power in 1959, they understood the importance of controlling and creating visual stories. Korda's shift from commercial photography to political documentation was a mix of personal belief and professional adjustment to Cuba's radically changed society.
Key Achievements
- Created 'Guerrillero Heroico,' recognized as one of the most reproduced photographs in history
- Served as unofficial photographer for the Cuban revolutionary government, documenting key political figures and events
- Established successful commercial photography career in pre-revolutionary Cuba through Korda Studios
- Won legal precedent in international court against unauthorized commercial use of the Che Guevara image
- Exhibited photography internationally, bringing Cuban revolutionary imagery to global audiences
Did You Know?
- 01.Korda never received payment for the most reproduced photograph in history because Cuba did not recognize international copyright laws at the time
- 02.He took only two frames of Che Guevara at the March 5, 1960 memorial service, with the second frame showing Guevara looking directly at the camera
- 03.The famous Guerrillero Heroico photograph was cropped from a wider shot that originally included other people at the memorial service
- 04.Korda successfully sued Smirnoff vodka in 2000 for using the Che Guevara image in advertising, arguing it violated Guevara's memory as he opposed capitalism
- 05.His original surname was Díaz Gutiérrez, but he adopted 'Korda' as his professional name, inspired by Hungarian-British film directors Alexander and Zoltan Korda