On October 18, 1936, amid the Siege of Madrid during the Spanish Civil War, Alfonsa and Ernesto, two Republican milicianos, decided to marry.Their union, captured by renowned Spanish photojournalist Alfonso Sánchez Portela, offers a striking contrast to the grim wartime imagery typically associated with the conflict.

Instead of traditional wedding attire, both the bride and groom wore the utilitarian overalls of citizen-soldiers defending the Second Spanish Republic.Surrounding them were fellow militia members, sharing a rare moment of joy and tenderness amid the chaos of battle.

The photograph, titled La boda de los milicianos, became an iconic representation of Republican resilience, symbolizing youth, idealism, and equality as men and women fought side by side on the front lines.

While the fates of Alfonsa and Ernesto after the brutal three-year conflict remain unknown, the original gelatin silver print is preserved at Madrid's Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, standing as a historical testament to the human dimension of war.