'Taking a breeze in Old Havana'
© National Portrait Gallery, London
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'Taking a breeze in Old Havana'
by Ida Kar
vintage bromide print, 1964
9 5/8 in. x 8 1/8 in. (246 mm x 206 mm) image size
Purchased, 1999
Photographs Collection
NPG x132354
Artistback to top
- Ida Kar (1908-1974), Photographer. Artist or producer associated with 1567 portraits, Sitter in 137 portraits.
This portraitback to top
Kar's Cuban photographs are considered the best photojournalism of her career. In an article entitled 'Ida Kar: Reborn in Cuba', published in the 19 January 1964 issue of the Cuban newspaper Hoy, the journalist Martaa Vignier wrote of Kar's fascination for the revolution and of the enthusiasm with which she embraced her job as a photographer, documenting life in Havana and the surrounding countryside. Equally, Peggy Delios, writing in the British Journal of Photography, hailed this portrait for its rare quality of pathos and beauty. This portrait of a young woman with her baby was taken as Kar wandered the city's streets.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Freestone, Clare (appreciation) Wright, Karen (appreciation), Ida Kar Bohemian Photographer, 2011 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 10 March to 19 June 2011), p. 127 Read entry
Ida Kar's Cuban photographs are considered the best photo-journalism of her career. In an article entitled 'Ida Kar: Reborn in Cuba', published in the 19 January 1964 issue of the Cuban newspaper Hoy, the journalist Marta Vignier wrote of Kar's fascination for the revolution and of the enthusiasm with which she embraced her job as a photographer, documenting life in Havana and the surrounding countryside. This portrait of a young woman with her baby was taken in Havana as Kar wandered the city's streets. It was included in the exhibition Ida Kar in Cuba, held at Hamiltons Gallery, London and Stepney Central Library, east London, in 1965. The critic Peggy Delis writing in the British Journal of Photography (12 February 1965), noted: 'Taking a breeze in old Havana has a rare quality of pathos, and to me personally that of a lingering beauty. Clearly the observer was observed by the young woman as this remarkable picture came into being.'
Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top
- Ida Kar: Bohemian Photographer (10 March 2011 - 19 June 2011)
Events of 1964back to top
Current affairs
Harold Wilson narrowly wins the general election for the Labour Party, the first of his four election victories.Peter Allen and Gwynne Evans become the last people to be executed in the United Kingdom before capital punishment was abolished in 1965.
The Sun newspaper replaces the Daily Herald.
Art and science
Top of the Pops begins its reign as the longest running television music show. The first broadcast was presented by Jimmy Savile and included the Rolling Stones, Dusty Springfield, The Hollies and The Beatles, who were the show's first number 1 with I Want to Hold Your Hand.International
The Civil Rights Act is passed in the USA, outlawing discrimination based on race, colour, religion, sex or national origin. The Act abolished the 'Jim Crow Laws' in the Southern States, making forced segregation illegal.After spending two years in prison Nelson Mandela is sentenced to Life in Prison for the crimes of sabotage and crimes equivalent to treason against the Republic of South Africa.
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