Description
Rome 1960. Abebe Bikila, marathon © L'Équipe September 10, 1960. When the Olympic marathon passes in front of the Vittoriano, the monument where the Italian Unknown Soldier is buried, Abebe Bikila is himself an unknown, a soldier in the Ethiopian Imperial Guard who runs as he trains, barefoot. But when night falls on the Eternal City, he will arrive as a winner under the Arch of Constantine, with a new world record (2h 15'16''). He was 28 years old and his frail figure would remain that of the first African hero: while the continent was gradually gaining its independence, he triumphed where, twenty-five years earlier, Mus-Solini had launched his troops into Ethiopia. Bikila won the marathon again in 1964, but died in 1973 following an accident at the wheel of one of the cars that had rewarded his exploits. Single later print. Edition 1/1. Black and white piezographic print on Awagami Bizan White Medium Handmade 200g paper. Flamant art frame. Floating box made to measure. 42 X 42 cm
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Rome 1960. Abebe Bikila, marathon © L'Équipe September 10, 1960. When the Olympic marathon passes in front of the Vittoriano, the monument where the Italian Unknown Soldier is buried, Abebe Bikila is himself an unknown, a soldier in the Ethiopian Imperial Guard who runs as he trains, barefoot. But when night falls on the Eternal City, he will arrive as a winner under the Arch of Constantine, with a new world record (2h 15'16''). He was 28 years old and his frail figure would remain that of the first African hero: while the continent was gradually gaining its independence, he triumphed where, twenty-five years earlier, Mus-Solini had launched his troops into Ethiopia. Bikila won the marathon again in 1964, but died in 1973 following an accident at the wheel of one of the cars that had rewarded his exploits. Single later print. Edition 1/1. Black and white piezographic print on Awagami Bizan White Medium Handmade 200g paper. Flamant art frame. Floating box made to measure. 42 X 42 cm
