- from the series A Caballo con el General Maceo
- from the series On Horseback with General Maceo
Sheet: 15 3/4 × 11 3/4 in. (40 × 29.9 cm)
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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.
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