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Che Guevara

Poster
ca. 1973 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Cuban graphic designers did not represent their political heroes in the same manner as their fellow Communist nations China and USSR. Whereas the latter relied on somewhat blandly idealised photorealistic imagery of revered leaders, Cuban designers depicted many of their revolutionary figures (José Martí, Fidel Castro, Che Guevara) in a manner not unlike modern celebrities by using bright colours, abstracted pattern and iconic poses. Images of 'El Che' are particularly striking. Most Guevara posters, this one no exception, take his most famous portrait as a starting point. The stylised image derives from Alberto Korda's infrequently credited photograph which was taken in March 1960 at a funeral for 136 Cubans killed in a counter-revolutionary terrorist attack. The image elevated Che to the status of a cult hero, immortalised as a young, handsome rebel.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleChe Guevara (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Paper and ink
Brief description
Che Guevara poster (no text). Cuba, ca. 1973. possibly by Felix Beltran.
Physical description
Black and white image of Che Guevara formed by stylised flourishes. No text.
Dimensions
  • Height: 53cm
  • Width: 40.1cm
Credit line
Gift of the American Friends of the V&A; Gift to the American Friends by Leslie, Judith and Gabri Schreyer and Alice Schreyer Batko
Production
the stylised flourishes are characteristic of several of Beltran's well-known poster graphics
Subjects depicted
Place depicted
Summary
Cuban graphic designers did not represent their political heroes in the same manner as their fellow Communist nations China and USSR. Whereas the latter relied on somewhat blandly idealised photorealistic imagery of revered leaders, Cuban designers depicted many of their revolutionary figures (José Martí, Fidel Castro, Che Guevara) in a manner not unlike modern celebrities by using bright colours, abstracted pattern and iconic poses. Images of 'El Che' are particularly striking. Most Guevara posters, this one no exception, take his most famous portrait as a starting point. The stylised image derives from Alberto Korda's infrequently credited photograph which was taken in March 1960 at a funeral for 136 Cubans killed in a counter-revolutionary terrorist attack. The image elevated Che to the status of a cult hero, immortalised as a young, handsome rebel.
Other number
LS.1427 - Leslie Schreyer Loan Number
Collection
Accession number
E.797-2004

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Record createdAugust 5, 2004
Record URL
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