Ever wondered about the magic behind capturing history? This Alfonso Sánchez Plaque commemorates a man who did just that. It honors Alfonso Sánchez Portela a renowned Spanish photographer and journalist.
Alfonso Sánchez Portela was born in Madrid in 1902. His father was Alfonso Sánchez García also a photographer. Young Alfonso studied at the Lycée Français. He learned photography from his father. His father would have preferred him to study at university.
At eighteen Alfonso published his first photo. It appeared in El Heraldo newspaper. He captured scenes of Madrid life. By twenty he was accompanying reporters to the Royal Palace and the Cortes. He worked with his father and brothers Luis and José. They balanced portrait work with graphic agency tasks. Alfonso preferred the agency work.
In 1921 Alfonso became a war reporter. He traveled to Spanish Morocco. There he secured an exclusive interview. It was with Abd-el-Krim the Rif leader. He also photographed the Alhucemas landing. For five years he covered the war front. In 1927 he flew to French Senegal. This trip with Luis de Oteyza yielded over two hundred photos. They depicted life in Africa.
Alfonso joined the La Libertad newspaper in 1930. In 1932 he collaborated with Ramón Gómez de la Serna in La Luz. By 1933 he was president. He led the Unión de Informadores Gráficos Españoles.
Alfonso covered many events including the Plus Ultra voyage. He also reported on the Jaca uprising. His most significant work was during the Civil War. He documented the Battle of Madrid. His photos showed the civilian population’s plight. He almost froze to death during the Battle of Teruel. Alfonso photographed Julián Besteiro. Besteiro read the National Defense Council’s statement. It announced Madrid’s surrender to Franco’s troops.
After the Civil War Alfonso lost his press pass. It wasn’t returned until 1952. He never worked as a journalist again. In 1939 the Sánchez family opened a new studio. Their old one had been destroyed. The studio became a graphic museum of Spanish history. In 1992 the Ministry of Culture acquired the studio’s archive. It included over one hundred thousand negatives.
Alfonso contributed to Víctor Erice’s film El Sur. He also appeared in a documentary titled Alfonso, el fotógrafo. In 1984 Enrique Tierno Galván awarded him Madrid’s Gold Medal. In 1989 he became a member. He joined the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando. He was the first photographer admitted.
So, as you stand before this Alfonso Sánchez Plaque remember a man who captured history. He brought stories to life through his lens. His dedication and artistry left an indelible mark on Madrid.