Remembering Sebastião Salgado: A Visionary Who Captured the Soul of Humanity

Ihor Saveliev
May 23
2 min read

Updated: May 27

Today, the world of photography and art mourns the loss of one of its greatest visionaries, Sebastião Salgado. His passing marks the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy that has inspired and moved generations of photographers, artists, and storytellers around the globe.

Sebastião Ribeiro Salgado Júnior (8 February 1944 – 23 May 2025)

Salgado was more than a photographer; he was a visual poet who used his camera to tell the stories of our shared humanity. His iconic black-and-white images captured the beauty, struggle, and resilience of people and nature across continents. From the gold mines of Brazil to the remote landscapes of the Arctic, his work was a testament to the interconnectedness of our world.

Sebastião Salgado / A meeting of a religious community in Base, on the road to Attilo, Chimborazo, Ecuador

Throughout his life, Salgado’s projects were driven by a deep sense of social justice and a profound empathy for his subjects. His series “Workers,” “Migrations,” and “Genesis” are not just collections of photographs, but powerful narratives that reveal the dignity and strength of those often overlooked by mainstream media.

Salgado’s passing is a tremendous loss for the creative and photographic communities. He dedicated his life to showing us the world through a lens of compassion and truth. His images challenged us to see beyond borders and differences, and to recognize the shared humanity that binds us all.

Sebastião Salgado / Amazonas state, Brazil, 2018

As we remember Sebastião Salgado, we honor not just the artist but the man who dedicated his life to making the world a more compassionate and understanding place. His work will continue to inspire and guide us, reminding us of the power of photography to touch hearts, change minds, and connect us all.