PARIS.- Julian Sander, the great-grandson of renowned German photographer August Sander, is presenting the complete series "People of the 20th Century" for the first time in Europe at Paris Photo 2024. This exhibition, housed in Paris's iconic Grand Palais, offers a rare chance to view Sander's ambitious photographic undertaking—a collection of 619 portraits that meticulously document the social fabric of German society from 1892 to 1954.

A Legacy Beyond Photography: August Sander’s Timeless Social Portrait

August Sander (1876–1964) is celebrated as one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century, his legacy defined by "People of the 20th Century." Sander’s project spanned decades, aiming to capture a cross-section of German society through hundreds of individual and group portraits, ranging from farmers and craftsmen to artists and political prisoners. By striving for a neutral, unsentimental approach, Sander’s work highlights the personalities and social roles of his subjects, offering an authentic portrayal of German society.

This ambitious project became a "mirror of the times," as Sander intended. He aimed not only to document the people of his era but to deliver what he called a “true psychology of our time and our people.” His portraits capture the unique attributes of each individual while also underscoring their representativeness within a particular social class, fulfilling Sander’s vision of creating a cultural and historical mosaic.

Historic Reconstruction and Modern Display

This comprehensive collection was created in the 1990s by Sander’s son, Gerd, in collaboration with Jean-Luc Differdange, using the original negatives to produce gelatin silver prints. The painstaking process involved a fifteen-year research project beginning in 1984, which reestablished the structure of the series through existing original prints, negatives, and insights from contemporaries of Sander. This historical reconstruction has made possible the exhibition of the full series in the precise grouping Sander envisioned.

Sander categorized his work into 49 portfolios, which he further organized into seven thematic groups: "The Farmer," "The Craftsman," "The Woman," "The Classes and Professions," "The Artists," "The City," and "The Last People." His project begins with an introductory portfolio portraying farmers as the "archetype" of humanity, grounding his sociological examination of 20th-century Germany in its rural roots. Sander’s career as a professional photographer provided him access to a wide range of social classes, making his work a compelling record of Germany’s evolving cultural, social, and political landscape.

An Epochal Project with Lasting Global Impact

Sander’s work not only documented Germany but also reflected societal changes over time. Through images spanning from 1892 to 1954, Sander’s project captures the seismic shifts in German society, from the German Empire through both World Wars and into post-war Germany. His portfolio even addresses the trauma of the Nazi era, featuring two portfolios—“The Persecuted” and “Political Prisoners”—that memorialize victims of Nazi persecution, including his own son, Erich, who died in political imprisonment.

The initial presentation of Sander’s work at the Cologne Art Association in 1927 and the publication of his book "Face of Our Time" in 1929 marked Sander as a pioneer in sociological photography. The book, introduced by acclaimed writer Alfred Döblin, was praised for its anthropological and sociological insights, as Döblin noted, “It is like a history of culture, or better yet, sociology, of the last thirty years.” Sander’s work inspired contemporaries and later generations alike. American photographer Walker Evans described it as a “cultural necessity,” noting its significance as a blueprint for documenting other societies.

A Unique Presentation at Paris Photo

The Paris Photo exhibition will display the complete set of "People of the 20th Century," fulfilling Sander’s vision of presenting his work as a cohesive whole. The portraits are arranged in a spiral form, grouping Sander’s categories together while allowing for unexpected juxtapositions among people from various social classes and backgrounds. The arrangement invites visitors to witness the breadth of characters and the simultaneous existence of different social realities, underscoring the diversity that forms the foundation of every society.

Sander’s empathetic perspective and dedication to portraying the human condition resonate in this timeless collection. As he noted in 1951, “A finished photograph is the precursor to the intellectual evaluation of photography… To see my work presented collectively rather than through isolated images brings the project into focus.” The Paris Photo presentation respects this vision, bringing together over six hundred images that capture the complexity of German society and embody Sander’s belief in the enduring value of this work.

Reflections on the Human Condition

Sander’s work remains profoundly relevant, as his portraits resonate with a universal appeal that transcends time. His humanistic approach, his exploration of individual and societal identities, and his commitment to capturing the essence of his subjects have solidified his legacy in art and photography. Sander believed that the more time passed, the more valuable his work would become, offering insights into both the past and the nature of humanity itself.

"People of the 20th Century" is a testament to the power of photography as both an art form and a cultural record, capturing a mosaic of lives that collectively define an era. Through this landmark exhibit at Paris Photo, August Sander’s work continues to offer a profound narrative of human existence that remains as compelling today as it was a century ago.