Buenos Aires nightlife. Circa 1936.

Gelatin silver print. Vintage photograph. Black and white. Individual work. Attribution inscribed in graphite on the reverse, in the upper right corner. Dimensions: 28.5 x 39 cm. In good condition. From the Luis Priamo Collection.

Like millions of other Italians, the Di Sandro family emigrated to the promising Argentine Republic around 1910, settling in the city of Buenos Aires. At just 14 years old, young Juan Di Sandro (Colli a Volturno, 1898 – Buenos Aires, 1988) began working as a photographer’s apprentice, embarking on a lifelong journey to master the techniques and secrets of a profession he would pursue with great passion.

Just two years later, he had already become a highly capable photojournalist for the newspaper *La Nación*—a prestigious Buenos Aires publication where he worked continuously until his retirement in 1976—covering major national and international news events. His camera captured memorable moments, such as the arrival of the Spanish seaplane *Plus Ultra* following its historic transatlantic crossing in 1926, the inauguration of the Obelisk in 1936, and the flight of the German airship *Graf Zeppelin* over Buenos Aires.

Di Sandro often utilized aircraft to capture expansive, wide-angle views—such as those of the National Penitentiary on Avenida Las Heras—while for large-scale public events, he would carry a small stepladder to gain a better vantage point. He favored large-format cameras, including the legendary American-made Speed ​​Graphic, which allowed him to produce high-quality images for the printing presses of *La Nación*. He was deeply well-liked by his colleagues in the newsroom. In the field of artistic photography, it is worth noting his active participation in the group "La carpeta de los diez" ("The Portfolio of the Ten"), which included prominent figures of the avant-garde. He was also present at numerous exhibitions focused on photojournalism and the "photo-club" movement—such as the Foto Club Argentina—and he undertook a memorable trip to his native Italy. Whether capturing the city of skyscrapers or rural life, he served as an inspired chronicler, earning various awards, diplomas, and medals for his work.

Particularly drawn to night photography—an expressive style with significant artistic impact—he is represented here by one of his finest pieces, part of a series created around 1936. In this work, the artist positions himself at the classic street corner of Avenida Leandro N. Alem and Sarmiento to capture a *recova* (a covered arcade) in Buenos Aires; its large arches frame lights that pierce the urban night. A watchmaker’s shop and, notably, a tiny kiosk—featuring an advertisement for "Legión Extranjera" ("Foreign Legion") razor blades—are reflected on the glistening cobblestones, creating an almost hypnotic effect.

Abel Alexander

President of the Ibero-American Society for the History of Photography