Podcast Summary: "El artesano | La invisibilidad de Gerda Taro"

Hoy por Hoy – SER Podcast
Date: November 10, 2025
Host: Àngels Barceló
Guest: Pablo Ortiz de Zárate

Overview

This episode explores the overlooked legacy of Gerda Taro, a pioneering war photographer whose work and identity were long eclipsed by her partner, Robert Capa. The discussion, led by Àngels Barceló and historian Pablo Ortiz de Zárate, delves into Taro's essential contributions to modern war photojournalism, the complicated narrative surrounding her and Capa, and the reasons behind Taro's historical invisibility.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Genesis of Two Legends (00:59 – 05:26)

• Contextualizing Capa and Taro:

  • Robert Capa, famously considered a founder of modern war photojournalism, was born André Friedman, a Hungarian Jew. Gerda Taro was born Gerta Pohorylle, a German Jew and leftist activist. Both were exiles in 1930s Paris, fleeing fascism and antisemitism.
  • Their personal and professional partnership shapes the narrative: "Él se llamaba André Friedman,...Ella Gerta Pojorile,… ambas eran de izquierdas, ambos migrantes, ambos pobres." – Pablo Ortiz de Zárate [01:46]

• Inventing Identities for Survival:

  • To overcome barriers (xenophobia, antisemitism, poverty), they crafted new personas: Capa as a glamorous American and Taro as an artist with a memorable, movie-star-like name.
  • Notable Quote: “Te inventas a un fotógrafo americano, le llamas Robert Capa... la gente va a querer comprarle fotos.” – Ortiz de Zárate [03:32]

2. Professional Parity and Innovation (05:26 – 09:51)

• Mutual Influence and the Birth of War Photography:

  • Both pioneered war photojournalism during the Spanish Civil War, starting as novices and evolving together.
  • Contrary to later mythology, Taro was as daring and present at the front lines as Capa.

• Iconic Works by Taro:

  • Taro’s photograph “Miliciana republicana recibiendo instrucción en la playa” is highlighted for its artistry and symbolic depiction of women’s transition from traditional roles to combatants.
    • Visual Description: “Lleva zapatos de tacón,...es la fragilidad del rol tradicional de la mujer en casa...con la dureza de alguien que está en guerra.” – Ortiz de Zárate [07:08]

• Attribution Challenges:

  • Many works generated by Taro were credited to Capa or to both, due to prevailing sexism and practical marketing concerns.
    • Notable Reflection: “Es mucho más fácil que alguien te compre una foto si es de un hombre que de una mujer.” – Ortiz de Zárate [09:12]

3. Taro’s Tragic End and Historical Erasure (09:51 – 13:08)

• Final Days and Untimely Death:

  • After rejecting Capa’s marriage proposal, Taro returned solo to the Spanish front, where she died at the age of 26 during the Battle of Brunete, becoming the first female photojournalist killed in action.
  • Her career spanned less than two years, with only 11 months as a war correspondent in Spain.
    • Quote: “Y aún así ayudó a definir lo que es el inicio del periodismo moderno.” – Ortiz de Zárate [10:41]

• The “Last Photo”:

  • In 2018, an image surfaced on Twitter, possibly depicting Taro on her deathbed after being mortally wounded at Brunete—a poignant mystery and piece of photographic history.

• Forces Behind her Invisibility:

  • Multiple factors contributed to Taro’s historical obscurity: gender marginalization, her brief career, association with communism leading to postwar suppression, and most significantly, the shadow cast by Capa’s fame.

4. Rediscovery and Reattribution (13:08 – 14:27)

• Posthumous Recognition:
  • Investigations in the 1980s–1990s and the 2007 discovery of a “maleta mexicana” (suitcase) containing 4,500 negatives belonging to Capa and Taro catalyzed scholarly re-examination.
  • Many photographs attributed to Capa were proven to be Taro’s, significantly enriching her legacy.
    • Quote: “Nos empezamos a dar cuenta del valor que tiene esta mujer.” – Ortiz de Zárate [14:23]

5. Controversies Around Robert Capa (14:27 – 17:59)

• The Myth of “Death of a Loyalist Militiaman”:

  • The most iconic Capa photograph—a Republican militiaman, allegedly shot at the precise moment of death—remains shrouded in doubt. Taro might have been the photographer, and there are suggestions of staged elements.
    • Key Comment: “Muchos amigos de Robert Capa...simulaba cosas y les ponía a los soldados a hacer maniobras para que pareciera que estaban en combate.” – Ortiz de Zárate [15:34]

• Normandy Landing Photos:

  • Capa’s D-Day narrative is questioned—whether mechanical error destroyed over 100 photos, or if the heroic account embellished the truth; evidence suggests far fewer images and possible inventiveness.
    • Expert Analysis: “...hay dudas sobre si este hombre a veces se inventaba algunos detalles.” – Ortiz de Zárate [17:59]

6. Taro’s Legacy Today (18:21 – End)

• Reclaiming Gerda Taro’s Place:
  • The conversation closes by praising a new exhibition at Círculo de Bellas Artes dedicated to Taro’s work and legacy, emphasizing the importance of recognizing women erased from history by partnership and prejudice.
  • Final Reflection: “Fue tan importante para la figura de Capa, y pionera además...” – Barceló [12:11]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• [03:32] Pablo Ortiz de Zárate: “Te inventas a un fotógrafo americano, le llamas Robert Capa... la gente va a querer comprarle fotos.”
• [07:08] Pablo Ortiz de Zárate: “Es la fragilidad del rol tradicional de la mujer en casa...con la dureza de alguien que está en guerra.”
• [09:12] Pablo Ortiz de Zárate: “Es mucho más fácil que alguien te compre una foto si es de un hombre que de una mujer.”
• [10:41] Pablo Ortiz de Zárate: “Y aún así ayudó a definir lo que es el inicio del periodismo moderno.”
• [15:34] Pablo Ortiz de Zárate: “Simulaba cosas y les ponía a los soldados a hacer maniobras para que pareciera que estaban en combate.”
• [14:23] Pablo Ortiz de Zárate: “Empezamos a dar cuenta del valor que tiene esta mujer.”

Timeline of Important Segments

• 00:59 – 05:26: Genesis of Gerda Taro and Robert Capa; crafting new identities.
• 06:24 – 09:51: The beginnings of war photojournalism; Taro's major contributions and attribution issues.
• 09:51 – 10:41: Taro’s fatal injury at Brunete; her status as a pioneering casualty.
• 13:08 – 14:27: Discovery of “the Mexican suitcase” and Taro’s posthumous recognition.
• 14:27 – 17:59: Examination of Capa’s famous photographs and associated controversies.
• 18:21 – 18:31: Invitation to visit the Gerda Taro exhibition in Madrid.

Tone and Style

The conversation is inquisitive and respectful, with an undercurrent of critical reflection on the historical marginalization of women and structural bias in both art and society. Ortiz de Zárate is methodical but passionate; Barceló guides with curiosity and a drive toward justice for forgotten figures like Taro.

Conclusion

This episode sheds light on the life and unjust obscurity of Gerda Taro. Her technical innovations, bravery, and influence on Robert Capa demand recognition. By reclaiming her story, the hosts stress the importance of re-examining history and giving overdue credit to its erased artisans—especially women like Gerda Taro.