The world of photography mourns the loss of Sebastiao Salgado, the iconic Brazilian photojournalist whose breathtaking images documented humanity and nature with unparalleled depth. The artist passed away peacefully at his home in Paris, surrounded by family.
A Life Through the Lens of Sebastiao Salgado
Salgado built an extraordinary career spanning five decades, capturing:
- The raw beauty of untouched landscapes (Genesis series)
- The dignity of workers worldwide (Workers collection)
- Humanitarian crises with profound empathy (Migrations)
The Guardian notes his 1994 Rwanda genocide photographs remain some of the most powerful visual testimonies of 20th century conflicts.
Environmental Legacy
With wife Lélia Wanick Salgado, he:
✔ Co-founded Instituto Terra, restoring 2.7 million trees to Brazil’s Atlantic Forest
✔ Pioneered eco-conscious photography practices
✔ Inspired generations of environmental activists
Yahoo News highlights how his later work shifted from documenting human suffering to celebrating planetary resilience.
Global Tributes to Sebastiao Salgado
From Il Messaggero‘s obituary:
“Salgado didn’t just take photos – he bore witness to Earth’s soul. His images weren’t framed; they were breathed into existence.”
Final Thought: While the lens has closed on his remarkable life, Salgado’s visual legacy will continue developing humanity’s collective memory for generations.