Geneneral Pinochet:
soldier, dictator, actor/politician
Historical black-and-white photo of military personnel walking in formation on a street, wearing uniforms and helmets.
A black and white photo of a formal military group inside a large, historic church, with high vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows, and large columns. The group is standing in rows facing an altar, with some members in uniform and others in clerical attire. A large religious painting or mural is visible on the wall behind them.
A group of military officers and soldiers seated and standing in a church. | Chas Gerretsen
Black and white photo of men in military uniforms. One man, General Pinochet, seated in front with sunglasses, crossed arms, and a military hat on his lap. Several men standing behind him, looking serious, in formal military attire. | Chas Gerretsen
Black and white photo of a group of military officers walking through an ornate church, during a formal event or ceremony. The officers are wearing uniforms and some are wearing sunglasses, with man in clerical clothing on the left. | Chas Gerretsen
Black and white historical photo of military officers and soldiers standing in formation, with some saluting. The soldiers are in uniform, carrying rifles, and wearing helmets. The officers are saluting. | Chas Gerretsen
Black and white photo of general Pinochet in a military uniform saluting, wearing sunglasses and a hat with an emblem. | Chas Gerretsen
Historical black-and-white photograph sitting in a formal meeting room. Four journalists are seated on a sofa, and one man, General Pinochet in a military uniform is seated on an armchair. They are engaged in a serious discussion. | Chas Gerretsen
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General Pinochet and wife seated outdoors at a garden table, with some standing, in a backyard setting with trees and a small building in the background. | Chas Gerretsen
A black and white photo of General Pinochet smiling and looking cheerful, wearing a collared shirt. | Chas Gerretsen
Close-up, black and white portrait of General Pinochet with slicked-back hair, wearing a collared shirt, outdoors. | Chas Gerretsen
General Pinochet and journalist smiling and shaking hands outdoors, with women standing in the background, trees, and a building. | Chas Gerretsen
A man in a military uniform and cap, General Pinochet,receives a present from a young boy on horseback and straw hat during a public event, with a crowd watching. | Chas Gerretsen
Historical black and white photo of a smiling woman in a striped jacket and white bow, surrounded by men in suits and military uniforms, standing near a car. | Chas Gerretsen
Two military officers in uniform standing outdoors, one appears to be an older man, both with serious expressions, with other officers in the background. | Chas Gerretsen
A military parade with soldiers goose stepping, some saluting, Generals are standing in formation with banners and flags in the background. | Chas Gerretsen
General Pinochet in military uniform waving to a crowd at an outdoor event, with group of people and a vintage car nearby. | Chas Gerretsen
Black and white photograph of General Pinochet in military uniform with a pensive expression, looking upward. | Chas Gerretsen
Black and white photo of General Pinochet in a military uniform with a doubting expression. | Chas Gerretsen
Black and white photograph of General Pinochet in a military uniform, with microphones in front of him, at a press conference. | Chas Gerretsen
A religious ceremony with clergy and military officers; a priest wearing a mitre and robes stands with arms raised, holding a staff, surrounded by others in religious and military attire. | Chas Gerretsen
Black and white photo of military officers in uniform, with General Pinochet seated in the foreground and two standing behind him, at a formal event. | Chas Gerretsen
The first time I photographed general Pinochet was during the Tanquetazo, 29 June 1973. He was dressed for a role in a U.S. war movie, compared to the other generals who wore the customary uniforms of the Chilean army: great coats, a hint of Prussian influence. Pinochet appeared as the ‘modern American war hero’: He wore American army field jacket and helmet - with the straps loose - sunglasses, dress shoes, and dress pants; a WW II, M1 carbine rifle slung over his shoulder, a pair of binoculars hanging from a strap around his neck. Pinochet, a Chilean ‘George Patton’, ‘a soldier’s general’.
Each time I photographed the general he played a different role: a gentleman officer, a grandfather, a husband, a gracious host, a politician kissing babies or a dictator.
Later, when his dictatorship became absolute, came the ‘Hollywood Premiere’ dresses: ‘the emperor’s cape’. Pinochet became lost in a world of his own, like all those who surround themselves with sycophants and are isolated from reality, because of their fame and power.