GERDA TARO
IMPORTANT EVENTS IN HER LIFE
- Birth and Education: Born on August 1, 1910, in Stuttgart, Germany, into a Jewish family. She
fled to Paris in 1933 due to Nazi persecution.
- Meeting Robert Capa: In Paris, she met André Friedmann, who would later become known
as Robert Capa. Together, they created the identity “Robert Capa” to better market their
photography. Gerda later adopted her own stage name.
- Coverage of the Spanish Civil War: In 1936, Gerda Taro traveled to Spain to document the
Civil War with Robert Capa and other photojournalists. She became one of the few female
photojournalists on the front lines. Capturing powerful images of Republican soldiers, life in
the trenches, and the suffering of the civilian population. She published her photographs in
publications such as Regards and Ce Soir, helping to raise awareness of the fight against
fascism around the world.
- Tragic Death: She died on July 26, 1937, after being accidentally run over by a Republican
tank before the Nationalist side carried out an air attack. She is buried in the Père-Lachaise
Cemetery in Paris.
ACHIEVEMENTS
- First Female War Photojournalist: She is considered the first woman to work exclusively as a
war photographer, dedicating her career entirely to covering armed conflicts. At a time when
photojournalism was dominated by men, she broke barriers by working on the front lines of
battle, capturing raw and direct images of war.
- Iconic Coverage of the Spanish Civil War: Her images documented both the intensity of
combat and the daily struggles of soldiers and civilians affected by the war. She frequently
worked close to the action, capturing moments of bravery, exhaustion, and resilience among
Republican fighters.
- Posthumous Recognition: After her untimely death in 1937, Taro’s contributions were for a
long time overshadowed by Robert Capa’s fame. However, in recent decades, her work has
been rediscovered and celebrated through exhibitions, books… Major museums and
institutions, such as the International Center of Photography, have showcased her
photographs, acknowledging her as a pioneer in war photojournalism.
CONTRIBUTIONS
- Highlighting the Impact of War on Civilians: One of her most significant contributions was
her ability to capture not only the battles themselves, but also the human cost of war. Her
photographs provided a raw and emotional look at the lives of Republican soldiers, many of
whom were volunteers fighting against fascism, as well as the suffering of civilians caught in
the conflict.
- Inspiration for Future Generations of Photojournalists: At a time when women in
journalism were often relegated to covering social issues or working behind the scenes, Taro
proved that female photojournalists could be just as fearless and capable as their male
counterparts.
- Invaluable Historical Documentation: Taro’s photographs remain one of the most important
visual records of the Spanish Civil War, providing a firsthand account of the conflict from the
perspective of those who fought and suffered through it. Since many of her images were
published in international newspapers and magazines, they played a role in shaping how the
world perceived the war at the time.
