Robert Capa Centennial

Robert Capa by Ruth Orkin, 1952

Today is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Endre Erno Friedmann in Hungary—the man who became Robert Capa, the grand old dean of combat photographers. And to celebrate, James Estrin at the Lens Blog has a wonderful little article that includes a rare find—new and unique recordings of Bob Capa's voice.

The recording, from October of 1947, was recently released by the International Center of Photography. Before it was found, even his major biographer had never heard his voice.

What a treat!

Mike
(Thanks to Bruce Rubenstein and Francisco Cubas)

P.S. And to try to forestall inevitable comments, yes, there has been controversy following accusations that Capa's most famous picture was a setup. There have also been comprehensive refutations of that charge, including in this newly rediscovered recording. Personally, I'm confident the picture is completely genuine. At any rate, I don't want to discuss that issue today.

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(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)
Featured Comments from:

Gabor Gasztonyi: "Thanks for sharing this incredible voice recording of Robert Capa. I just returned today from Budapest and went to the fantastic and very moving Robert Capa Anniversary Exhibition at the Hungarian National Museum. Images were displayed from different time periods in his career including the very famous photograph of Leon Trotsky.

"Oddly, there was also a bathtub in the exhibit which attempted to symbolize the fact that he liked to take long baths in the morning, lasting up to an hour an a half. His Contax camera was also on display as well as notebooks from his childhood and a bank passbook from Budapest—with a very small balance as I recall. His mother and father ran a tailor shop in Budapest and from what I have seen he tended to wear very good quality suits. There was not however a recording of his voice, which I thought was strange."

Leigh Perry: "Which reminds me: his death (and Gerda Taro's) provide the unlikely subject matter for a wonderful song."

jean-louis salvignol: "This portrait of Capa by Ruth Orkin is disturbing in that it really gives the image that one has of him. And yet it is perfect without being a caricature. Incidentally Ruth Orkin is a tremendous photographer too forgotten today."

Comments

[Stan B.]

Can't understand why there's never been a major Hollywood extravaganza on this guy. Everything's already there in no short order: mystery, looks, drama, sex, romance, war- the whole nine yards and then some...

Not that they would get any of it right.

[David Zivic]

There is a recent movie "Hemingway and Gellhorn" that has battle scenes from the war correspondent days that has action scenes that freeze frame in Capa photos. very interesting footage and effects. BTW Nicole Kidmen as Gellhorn wasn't bad either !

[darr]

Makes sense on how the picture was made and how the soldier lost his life. Finding it on the auction site may open up other suspicions. But, its timing is as incredible as the image itself.

[pedro-rafael]

Just now I have in my hands the book with the others more relevant 936 setup including the last one he did. Just saying...

[hugh crawford]

"the grand old dean of combat photographers"

I don't know that old is the right word, he didn't make it to his 41st birthday.

[David Bennett]

Wonderful. A treasure. Thank you.

[Cosmin Munteanu]

R.Capa can be seen (a heard) here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkDpxuKXFpQ&feature=youtu.be&t=59m50s true, for a couple of seconds. I recommend the documentary ;-)