Alfonso a Pioneer of Iconic Photography in the Last Century

Recently walked into La Fabrica in Madrid to view a small but incredible photography exhibition curated by Chema Conesa.

Alfonso took his camera to the street to portray pieces of reality, very much reminding me of the cinematic neo realists in Italy, helping to build Spain's visual memory in a century marked by dramatic social and political changes. This includes milestones such as the proclamation of the Republic on April 14, 1931, the uprising of the military in 1936 or the massacre of the Disaster of Annual.

For the purpose of Alfonso politicians, kings, athletes and the most illustrious characters of Spain of the first half of the twentieth century paraded, but they also toured the streets, portraying countless anonymous characters, protagonists of a changing society.

Alfonso captures the essence of each moment. Chronicler and reporter, Alfonso's photography stands out for its versatility that includes his facet as a portraitist. The painter Sorolla in his house in Madrid, Antonio Machado in the cafe de las Salesas, Ramón y Cajal in an anatomy class, the painter Julio Romero de Torres in his studio or the photograph of the playwright Ramón de Valle-Inclán walking, for example. Alfonso also put his goal at the service of Spanish everyday life and traditions, contributing new content to this style of photojournalism. This is how anonymous characters became protagonists of their images in meetings and popular parties that witnessed the daily life of the time.

This exhibition becomes a walk through time, the Spain of the last century. He decided to let us see that photography is a matter of gaze and decision.