August Sander (1876–1964) was a prominent German portrait and documentary photographer, widely regarded as one of the most important figures in 20th-century photography. Born into a working-class family in Herdorf, he initially worked as a miner before pursuing photography professionally. He is best known for his monumental project 'People of the 20th Century' (Menschen des 20. Jahrhunderts), which aimed to create a comprehensive photographic document of German society during the Weimar Republic by capturing cross-sections of various social classes and professions. His work is characterized by its documentary objectivity, focusing on portraits of farmers, skilled tradesmen, artists, and city dwellers. Despite facing significant constraints under the Nazi regime—including the seizure and destruction of some of his works—Sander's archive remains a vital sociological record of German life. He was inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame in 1984.[1,2,3]
Die Mosel Band II Deutsche Land / Deutsches Volk1934 · L. Holzwarth · book · GermanRare publication about the Moselle region including landscapes and portraits.
Antlitz der Zeit (Face of our Time)1929 · Kurt Wolff Verlag / Transmare Verlag · book · GermanFirst book containing a selection of portraits from his 'People of the 20th Century' series.
Menschen des 20. Jahrhunderts (People of the 20th Century)1962 · Sigbert Mohn Verlag · book · GermanISBN 3-8228-7179-6Major publication of his career-defining portrait series.
Menschen ohne Maske (Men Without Masks)1971 · Bucher Verlag · book · GermanISBN 3-7658-0130-5Biography of his son Gunther Sander.
Exhibitions
1980August Sander—Photographs of an Epoch, 1904–1959Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphiasolo
2004August Sander: People of the Twentieth Century—A Photographic Portrait of GermanyMetropolitan Museum of Art, New Yorksolo
2013Portrait. Landscape. ArchitectureMultimedia Art Museum, Moscowsolo
Awards
1984Induction into the International Photography Hall of Fame and MuseumInternational Photography Hall of Fame and Museum
Die Mosel Band II Deutsche Land / Deutsches Volkphotographer
