Cuba. Under the Cuban Sun. Throckmorton Fine Art, June 16-September 17, 2016. Henri Cartier-Bresson, Walker Evans, et al.

Illustrated wraps, 32 pages, wraps, almost like new with minuscule wear bottom right corner of cover. Photographers include Henri Cartier-Bresson; Walker Evans; Susan S. Bank; Jane Cytryn; Graciela Iturbide; Joseph Ney; Michael Scalisi; Christophe von Hohenberg; Jesse A. Fernandez; Raul Canibano; Hector Garcia; Alberto Korda; Rodrigo Moya; Mario Algaze; Juan Carlos Alom; Raul Canibano. Includes photographs of Ernest Hemingway, Fidel Castro, and Che Guevara. Summary:

"Cuba: Under the Cuban Sun" is an exhibition catalog published by Throckmorton Fine Art to accompany their 2016 summer showcase in New York. The collection offers a multifaceted visual history of Cuba, moving beyond political clichés to explore the island’s soul through several generations of photographic masters.

Core Focus and Artistic Vision

• A Century of Perspective: The catalog spans nearly 100 years of Cuban history, juxtaposing pre-revolutionary elegance with the gritty, poetic reality of the post-1959 era.

• The "Human" Element: Rather than focusing solely on architecture or vintage cars, the curation emphasizes the resilience, spirit, and daily lives of the Cuban people.

• Cultural Context: Released during a brief period of "thawing" relations between the U.S. and Cuba, the catalog captures a nation on the brink of significant transition.

Notable Photographers

The catalog features a "who’s who" of Cuban and international photography, including:

• Alberto Korda: Famous for his iconic portraits of Che Guevara and the early days of the Revolution.

• Jesse A. Fernández: Known for his sophisticated portraits of Cuban intellectuals and artists like Wifredo Lam.

• Contemporary Voices: Includes works by artists like Graciela Iturbide, showcasing a more modern, layered interpretation of the island’s identity.

Key Themes

• The Revolutionary Aesthetic: It documents the deliberate use of photography to build a new national identity during the 1960s.

• Street Photography: A strong emphasis on the "decisive moment" in Havana’s streets, highlighting the play of light (the "Cuban Sun") and shadow.

• Nostalgia vs. Reality: The collection balances the romanticized view of Cuba’s past with the stark, weathered beauty of its contemporary landscape.