Gerda Taro video – Spanish Civil War tours in Barcelona and history of the war

An interesting talk here about the life of Gerda Taro, the pioneering and largely unknown female photojournalist whose work consisted almost exclusively of dramatic photographs from the Spanish Civil War.The talk is given by Irme Schaber, Taro’s biographer.

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Taro was companion and professional partner of photographer Robert Capa.

More on Wikipedia

When the Spanish Civil War broke out (1936), Gerda Taro travelled to Barcelona, Spain, to cover the events with Capa. Taro acquired the nickname of la pequeña rubia (“the little blonde”). They covered the war together at northeastern Aragon and at the southern Cordoba. Always together under the common, bogus signature of Robert Capa, they were successful through many important publications (the Swiss Züricher Illustrierte, the French Vu). Their early war photos are distinguishable since Taro used a Rollei camera which rendered squared photographs while Capa produced rectangular Leica pictures. However, for some time in 1937 they produced similar 135 film pictures together under the label of Capa&Taro.

Subsequently, Taro attained some independence. She refused Capa’s marriage proposal. Also, she became publicly related to the circle of anti fascist European intellectuals (Ernest Hemingway, George Orwell) who crusaded particularly for the Spanish Republic. The Ce Soir, a leftist newspaper of France, signed her for publishing Taro’s works only. Then, she began to commercialize her production under the Photo Taro label. Regards, Life, Illustrated London News and Volks-Illustrierte were amongst those publications.^[1]^[2]

Reporting the Valencia bombing alone, Gerda Taro attained the photographs which are her most celebrated. Also, in July 1937, Taro’s photographs were in demand by the international press when, alone, she was covering the Brunete region near Madrid for Ce Soir. Although the Nationalist propaganda claimed that the region was under its control, the Republican forces had in fact forced that faction out. Taro’s camera was the only testimony of the actual situation

Books about Gerda Taro

Gerda Taro (photography guide)

Gerda Taro (19101937) was the first woman photojournalist to photograph in the heat of battle. Taro was the lover and photographic partner of famed photojournalist Robert Capa and, as his manager, is often credited for launching Capas career. She and Capa covered much of the Spanish Civil War side by side. Taro was killed in July 1937, while photographing a crucial battle near Madrid. ICP holds what is by far the worlds largest collection of Taros work, including approximately 200 prints as well as original negatives. Organized chronologically, this exhibition will include vintage and modern prints, and magazine layouts using Taros work. The exhibition will be accompanied by a catalogue, the first major collection of Taros work ever published.

Out of the Shadows: A Life of Gerda Taro (biography, I really want to read this soon)

“Gerda Taro was a fearless, pioneering chronicler of the Spanish Civil War… Taro was the first female war photographer. She created some of the most moving studies ever made of people in conflict.” –’New Statesman’