Iván Cañas
from the series A Caballo con el General Maceo

from the series A Caballo con el General Maceo

© Iván Cañas

from the series A Caballo con el General Maceo
from the series A Caballo con el General Maceo
ArtistCuban and American, 1946–2019
CultureCuban
Titles
  • from the series A Caballo con el General Maceo
  • from the series On Horseback with General Maceo
Date1968
Place depictedCuba
MediumGelatin silver print
DimensionsImage: 11 7/8 × 7 13/16 in. (30.1 × 19.8 cm)
Sheet: 15 3/4 × 11 3/4 in. (40 × 29.9 cm)
Credit LineGift of Alba Borrego in memory of Iván Cañas
Object number2023.948
Current Location
The Nancy and Rich Kinder Building
Gallery 314
Exposé

Explore Further

Department
Photography
Object Type
Description

In 1968 the young photojournalist Iván Cañas was tasked with covering the reenactment of a significant military maneuver from the late 19th-century war for independence from Spain. The nearly 500-mile horse ride presented an opportunity to portray the new government as continuing that historic endeavor. Instead of capturing images of a disciplined march- ing column, leaders delivering triumphant speeches, and grand receptions in each town, Cañas captured the riders’ most human moments—depicting fatigue, excitement, or joy while off duty. In this photograph, the ceremonial band improvises during a break, clearly enjoying a tune different from a martial anthem.

 

En 1968, al joven fotorreportero Iván Cañas se le encargó cubrir una cabalgata de casi 500 millas que recrearía una maniobra militar de la guerra de independencia, presentando al nuevo gobierno como heredero de ese legado histórico. En lugar de fotogra- fiar a la columna marchando disciplinadamente, los líderes pronunciando discursos triunfales o los pom- posos recibimientos en cada pueblo, Cañas capturó los momentos más humanos de los jinetes, mostrando fatiga, emoción y alegría durante los descansos. En esta fotografía, la banda ceremonial se divierte improvisando una melodía que claramente dista de un himno marcial.


ProvenanceThe artist, Miami; Alba Borrego, Miami; given to MFAH, 2023.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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from the series A Caballo con el General Maceo
Iván Cañas
1968
Gelatin silver print
2023.952
from the series A Caballo con el General Maceo
Iván Cañas
1968
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from the series A Caballo con el General Maceo
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Gelatin silver print
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from the series A Caballo con el General Maceo
Iván Cañas
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Gelatin silver print
2023.950
from the series A Caballo con el General Maceo
Iván Cañas
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Gelatin silver print
2023.949
from the series A Caballo con el General Maceo
Iván Cañas
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from the series Caibarién
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from the series Caibarién
Iván Cañas
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Gelatin silver print
2023.994
from the series Caibarién
Iván Cañas
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Gelatin silver print
2023.993
from the series Caibarién
Iván Cañas
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Gelatin silver print
2023.996
from the series Caibarién
Iván Cañas
1969
Gelatin silver print
2023.995