The Pilar Aróstegui Municipal Archive has acquired a collection of 653 new photographs belonging to the Vitoria-born writer Ignacio Aldecoa. This collection, featuring family and personal images from different periods of his life, will offer deeper insights into the author's personal and family history.
The donation was made by Pedro Anitua Aldecoa, the writer's nephew, through several installments delivered in 2021, 2023, and 2026. The photographs will be cataloged and made available to the public.
The Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council presented this photographic ensemble coinciding with International Archives Week, celebrated from June 8th to 12th. Out of the 653 images, 111 are directly related to Ignacio Aldecoa, a prominent figure in 20th-century Spanish literature born in the city.
The photographs span nearly a century of history, with the earliest dating back to the late 19th century and the most recent from the 1970s. This fund provides a view of different family generations and the society of each era. The collection primarily consists of individual and group portraits, alongside family gatherings, school scenes, weddings, and other everyday events. Many images were taken in Vitoria-Gasteiz, showcasing the city's locales and atmosphere from decades past.
Additionally, the collection includes photographs of buildings and urban landscapes, travel images, postcards, and some related to the War in Africa. Ignacio Aldecoa (born in 1925) is regarded as one of the great post-war narrative authors, particularly noted for his short stories and tales.
The majority of the collection comprises positive prints on paper made using silver halide techniques. There are also some negatives on plastic and a small group of glass plate images. Sizes vary greatly, from just 1x2 centimeters to 18x24 centimeters, with the most common dimensions being 6x9, 9x12, and 10x15 centimeters.
Among the pieces, a framed portrait of Ignacio Aldecoa by photographer Nicolás Muller stands out, measuring 80x100 centimeters, significantly larger than the rest of the collection. The Municipal Archive has already commenced conservation and treatment work to ensure the photographs' protection, storing them in controlled temperature and humidity environments.
