August Sander

August Sander was born on November 17, 1876, in Herdorf, Germany. He was a German portrait and documentary photographer. Sander is renowned for his work between the two World Wars, documenting the people of Germany in a book called 'People of the 20th Century'. His objective and unadorned portraits made him a key figure in photography, influencing generations of photographers including the New Objectivity movement.

In September 1929, August Sander published 'Antlitz der Zeit' ('Face of Our Time'), a book which contained a selection of 60 portraits from a larger project. This work aimed to profile the German people of the Weimar Republic, with each portrait representing varied social classes and types. The book was significant in establishing Sander's reputation and displayed his commitment to objectivity and realism in photography.

In 1936, the Nazi regime banned 'Face of Our Time' by August Sander because they deemed its portrayal of the diversity of the German people as 'un-German'. Copies of the book were seized and the original printing plates were destroyed. Despite this setback, Sander continued to work, capturing images that documented the social landscape of Germany under Nazi rule, albeit with more caution and discretion.

August Sander died on April 20, 1964, in Cologne, Germany, at the age of 87. His legacy as a photographer is profound, as he left behind an extensive body of work consisting of portraits that captured the essence of German society across a diverse range of social strata. Sander's contributions to both the art of photography and documentary evidence of the period have been celebrated posthumously.

In June 1987, a major exhibition of August Sander's work was held at the Stadtmuseum in Cologne, Germany. This retrospective was pivotal in reestablishing Sander's impact on photography, highlighting his unyielding commitment to portraiture and his influence on 20th-century visual culture. The exhibition included many of his original prints and provided insight into his technique and vision.

On July 13, 2004, a project was initiated to digitize the entire archive of August Sander's photographs. This massive undertaking was aimed at preserving his work for future generations and making it more accessible to scholars and the public. The archive, held by the SK Stiftung Kultur in Germany, contains thousands of Sander's negatives and prints, representing a crucial resource for understanding his life's work.

In 2007, February 5 marked the opening of a landmark exhibition of August Sander's photographs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The exhibition curated selections from his profound body of work, spanning his early landscapes and architectural studies to his iconic portraits. This retrospective contributed to global recognition of Sander's influence in photography, casting light on his visionary approach that transcended simple portraiture.

In September 2018, a comprehensive book detailing the life and work of August Sander was published, furthering scholarship on his contributions to photography. This publication draws on extensive research and includes newly discovered photographs from Sander's archives. It provides an in-depth narrative of his life, his methodology, and the socio-political context within which he created his art. The book is an essential resource for understanding the depth of Sander's work.

On June 10, 2022, an exhibition titled 'August Sander: In Focus' opened in Paris, featuring rare and previously unseen works by the photographer. The exhibition was a significant event for art lovers and historians alike, as it showcased Sander's ability to capture the essence of his subjects. It brought new perspectives on his technique and his role in the evolution of documentary photography.