Untitled (eleven photographs: group portraits of Cuban revolutionaries) after 1950

Curator: This fascinating contact sheet by Lester Cole, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums, presents eleven group portraits of Cuban revolutionaries in striking black and white. Editor: There’s a raw, immediate quality to these images, a sense of history unfolding. The high contrast emphasizes the textures of their uniforms and the strong lines of their faces. Curator: Indeed. Cole captures a pivotal moment, allowing us to consider the narratives of revolution, power, and identity construction in post-colonial Cuba. What do these carefully staged groupings tell us about the revolution's self-presentation? Editor: The composition is certainly considered—the arrangement of figures, the deliberate inclusion of weapons, flags. It’s designed to convey strength and unity. Curator: And the diversity within the groups is notable. We see both military figures and civilians, suggesting the broad base of support for the revolution. Editor: By capturing these compositions in film, Cole provides insight into the political and social landscape of the time, offering a visual language of change and resistance. Curator: Precisely. It's a potent reminder of art's capacity to reflect and shape our understanding of history.