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RENÉ BURRI (Zurich, 1933 - 2014). "Che Guevara." Havana, Cuba, 1963. Gelatin silver. Later printing. Signed, titled and dated in ink (in the margin). Provenance: Cortez private collection, New York. Measurements: 22.5 x 32.5 cm (image); 30.5 x 40 cm (frame). René Burri did not know that he was photographing one of the characters who would become one of the most iconic martyrs of the 20th century. It shows Che Guevara smoking a Havana cigar, in an attitude that reveals a strong personality. The Swiss photographer would say of that moment: "Che's proud face is actually one of anger. I was in his office in Cuba, sent by 'Magnum' and he was fighting with an American journalist who had traveled with me. He looked like a caged tiger and didn't even notice me, so I was able to take all the photos I wanted!". The image, which would become one of Che's most iconic, was taken in the office of the then Cuban Minister of Industry. René Burri was a Swiss photographer and filmmaker. He studied at the "Zurich School of Decorative Arts" (1950-1953), where he learned to compose with light and to consider light in relation to shadows. The "Burri touch" was born from these classes, which shaped his look: the refined elegance of a composition, the subtle, open and meaningful play of the solid lines of an image. He ascribes to the "humanist photography" dominant in Paris in the fifties and there he photographs special and delicate moments, in the style of Izis and Doisneau. However, taking Cartier-Bresson as a model, Burri began to search for documentary photographs that were denser than the reflection of simple anecdotes. As Ernest Hininger's camera assistant, he also began to shoot small documentaries. In 1955 he joined the Magnum Agency and began to travel around the world, shooting portraits, landscapes, political and social reportage, architecture and industry photography, etc. In 1982 he opened the Magnum Gallery in Paris, together with Bruno Barbey. Since 1988 he has been artistic director of the magazine Schweizer Illustrierten. Among his most famous photographs are a photo of the city of São Paulo (Brazil) and a photo of Che Guevara.

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RENÉ BURRI (Zurich, 1933 - 2014). "Che Guevara." Havana, Cuba, 1963. Gelatin silver. Later printing. Signed, titled and dated in ink (in the margin). Provenance: Cortez private collection, New York. Measurements: 22.5 x 32.5 cm (image); 30.5 x 40 cm (frame). René Burri did not know that he was photographing one of the characters who would become one of the most iconic martyrs of the 20th century. It shows Che Guevara smoking a Havana cigar, in an attitude that reveals a strong personality. The Swiss photographer would say of that moment: "Che's proud face is actually one of anger. I was in his office in Cuba, sent by 'Magnum' and he was fighting with an American journalist who had traveled with me. He looked like a caged tiger and didn't even notice me, so I was able to take all the photos I wanted!". The image, which would become one of Che's most iconic, was taken in the office of the then Cuban Minister of Industry. René Burri was a Swiss photographer and filmmaker. He studied at the "Zurich School of Decorative Arts" (1950-1953), where he learned to compose with light and to consider light in relation to shadows. The "Burri touch" was born from these classes, which shaped his look: the refined elegance of a composition, the subtle, open and meaningful play of the solid lines of an image. He ascribes to the "humanist photography" dominant in Paris in the fifties and there he photographs special and delicate moments, in the style of Izis and Doisneau. However, taking Cartier-Bresson as a model, Burri began to search for documentary photographs that were denser than the reflection of simple anecdotes. As Ernest Hininger's camera assistant, he also began to shoot small documentaries. In 1955 he joined the Magnum Agency and began to travel around the world, shooting portraits, landscapes, political and social reportage, architecture and industry photography, etc. In 1982 he opened the Magnum Gallery in Paris, together with Bruno Barbey. Since 1988 he has been artistic director of the magazine Schweizer Illustrierten. Among his most famous photographs are a photo of the city of São Paulo (Brazil) and a photo of Che Guevara.

Estimate 8 000 - 10 000 EUR
Starting price 4 000 EUR

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