Celebrated Brazilian documentary photographer Sebastião Salgado has passed away at the age of 81. Salgado changed the nature of environmental photography. He spent the remainder of his life chronicling the destructive impact of industrialization on natural environments and communities, becoming a powerful voice for ecological reclamation. His wife, Lélia Deluiz Wanick Salgado, and their two sons survive him, as do two grandchildren.
Born in Brazil, Salgado was originally educated as an economist, later becoming a photographer. His eclectic biography left him a bit unmoored, which contributed to his critical sensibility towards his subjects. He came to focus on the social and environmental impact of industrial practices. Over the course of his career, he documented important moments in our history. These latter consequences were particularly illustrated by gold mining’s environmental destruction in Brazil and the oil fires in Kuwait, set ablaze during the Gulf War.
Salgado’s influence went well beyond his photographs. He co-founded the Instituto Terra with his wife, Lélia Deluiz Wanick Salgado. Their overall goal is to restore and preserve the endangered Atlantic Forest in Brazil. Over 22 years, they, along with dedicated volunteers, planted over three million trees on their family property, highlighting their commitment to environmental renewal.
His photographic legacy includes the book “Amazônia,” which showcases the beauty of Brazil’s Amazon region while emphasizing sustainable practices adopted by Indigenous communities. Salgado’s photographs not only depict the region’s lush landscapes but serve as a poignant reminder of the ongoing destruction of rainforests.
In his reflections on humanity’s relationship with the environment, Salgado stated, “We cannot build our future – the future of humanity – based only on technology. We must look at our past; we must take into consideration anything that we did in our history. Human beings have a huge opportunity: the prehistory of humanity is in Amazonia now.”
“In a tribute to his influence, a representative from Instituto Terra remarked, “Sebastião was much more than one of the greatest photographers of our time. Alongside his life partner, Lélia Deluiz Wanick Salgado, he sowed hope where there was devastation and brought to life the belief that environmental restoration is a profound act of love for humanity.”
Salgado’s dedication to environmental issues and his powerful photographic narratives raised awareness about the fragility of ecosystems and the urgent need for restoration. As he once asserted, “We can rebuild the planet that we destroyed, and we must.”
