Geneneral Pinochet:
soldier, dictator, actor/politician
Historical black-and-white photo of General Pinochet, General Prats and General Pickering after putting down the Tancazo. June 29, 1973
The blessing of the military Junta in the Iglesia de la Gratitud Nacional. September 18, 1973
The blessing of the military Junta in the Iglesia de la Gratitud Nacional. September 18, 1973
General Pinochet with dark glasses (Sept. 18, 1973
Black and white photo of the military junta walking towards the exit of the church. The Archbishop of Santiago talking to General Pinochet
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.
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.
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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.
Close-up, black and white portrait of General Pinochet with slicked-back hair, wearing a collared shirt, outdoors.
General Pinochet and journalist smiling and shaking in the garden of Pinochet home.
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.
Historical black and white photo of a smiling Wife of General Pinochet, in a striped jacket and white bow, surrounded by men in suits and military uniforms, on their way of formally opening a low-cost housing project.
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, General Pinochet and General Oscar Bonilla are saluting.
General Pinochet in military uniform waving to a crowd at an outdoor event.
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.