Original Film Scan, Courtesy of Alberto Korda Estate (Limited Edition of 20)

Cuban photographer Alberto Díaz Gutiérrez, best known as Korda (Sept 14, 1928 – May 25, 2001).

“Guerrillero Heroico” is a renowned photograph by Cuban photographer Alberto Korda, taken in 1960. The image captures the revolutionary Che Guevara, a symbol of resistance and anti-imperialism, in a moment of quiet intensity. This image is considered to be one of the most famous images in the history of photography, an icon and symbol for the Cuban Revolution propaganda.

Artwork Statement

In the words of Korda’s son, Dante Diaz Korda, ‘Guerrillero Heroico, became his classic masterpiece and a symbol of the 20th century. It’s known as the new Christ and the most reproduced and one of the most recognised photographs in human history. One of the elements that made the Cuban Revolution known worldwide and popular was the graphic images of its leaders, such as Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, Camilo Cienfuegos, and the numerous faces of the Cuban guerrillas. Korda embraced this new reality. He wanted to do what he did best and saw this phenomenon as a new trend. Whether it was called advertising or propaganda, he didn’t care. He followed them and became Fidel Castro’s personal photographer for over a decade. My father’s passion and exceptional skills as a photographer turned every event of the Cuban Revolution into a magnificent moment, a genuine representation of an era of change and beauty. At one point, he said, “My photographs are vivid memories of my country’s history. They gave me the opportunity to succeed as a photographer.”