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Cuba, 1930-1958: Photographs by Dr. Roberto Machado
September 12 - November 14, 1998
Cuba. 1930-1958 is a photographic survey of life in Cuba as captured through the
lens of Dr. Roberto Machado (1905 - 1979). Although formally trained as
a physician, Machado was a talented photographer and award-winning cinematographer·
After his death, 700 negatives were found in his house by a visiting relative,
Siivia Lizama. who is also a Photographer and who printed images from the
negatives. This exhibition was organized by the Norton, from the 100 images
which Silvia Lizama chose to print.
Dr. Roberto Machado Ortega was born in Havana, Cuba on
May 17, 1905. He practiced medicine in Cuba for 26 years before emigrating
to the United States in 1960. 
Although a physician by training and profession, Dr. Machado
dedicated a considerable portion of his time to the pursuit of his passion,
photography. Over the years he developed a body of work depicting the Cuban
landscape and street scenes which capture the beauty and the character of
pre-revolutionary Cuba and its people. Dr. Machado died in Sliver Springs,
Maryland in November of 1979. He left behind over 700 negatives of Cuba,
ranging in dates from the 1930's through the 1950's. 
This treasure-trove of highly engaging images depicts aspects
of pre-revolutionary Cuban life during the mid-twentieth century. Through
Machado's lens, we see such evocative images as a grocer's shop in Havana,
a broom peddler on the street, ox carts in the Vinales Valley, the Hanabanilla
Falls, boxers at El Palacio de los Deportes, a baseball game, and sponge
fishermen with starfish.
From top to bottom: Ox Carts, Vinales Valley, c.
1930-1958, gelatin silver print; Nacional Hotel, c. 1930-1958, gelatin
silver print; Friends at Malecon, c. 1930-1958, gelatin silver print;
Safe, c. 1930-1958, gelatin silver print; Grocer at La Victoria
Havana,c. 1930-1958, gelatin silver print
rev. 11/26/10
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