Works
  • Sebastião Salgado, Bombay, India (Churchgate Railroad Station), 1995/2003
    Bombay, India (Churchgate Railroad Station), 1995/2003
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Marine Iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus). Galápagos. Ecuador., 2004
    Marine Iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus). Galápagos. Ecuador., 2004
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Zo’é women generally use urucum (Bixa orellana), the red fruit of the urucum plant, to color their bodies. Zo’é Indigenous Territory, State of Pará, Brazil, 2009
    Zo’é women generally use urucum (Bixa orellana), the red fruit of the urucum plant, to color their bodies. Zo’é Indigenous Territory, State of Pará, Brazil, 2009
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Chinstrap Penguins on an iceberg located between Zavodovski and Visokoi Islands, South Sandwich Islands 09-7-12440, 2009
    Chinstrap Penguins on an iceberg located between Zavodovski and Visokoi Islands, South Sandwich Islands 09-7-12440, 2009
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Indonesia (man on scaffold, buildings), 1996
    Indonesia (man on scaffold, buildings), 1996
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Southern Sudan (boys hiding, sunlight streaming), 1993
    Southern Sudan (boys hiding, sunlight streaming), 1993
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Kanamashi Yawanawa, 2016
    Kanamashi Yawanawa, 2016
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Serra Pelada gold mine, State of Pará, Brazil, 1986
    Serra Pelada gold mine, State of Pará, Brazil, 1986
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Nenets, an indigenous nomadic people, whose main subsistence come from reindeer herding, South Yamal region, Siberia, Russia, 2011
    Nenets, an indigenous nomadic people, whose main subsistence come from reindeer herding, South Yamal region, Siberia, Russia, 2011
    Inquire
  • Sebastião Salgado, Brasil (hand, Serra Pelada), 1986/2007
    Brasil (hand, Serra Pelada), 1986/2007
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Serra Pelada, Brazil (backs, climbing workers), 1986/2000
    Serra Pelada, Brazil (backs, climbing workers), 1986/2000
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Indonesia (many Moslems praying), 1996/2002
    Indonesia (many Moslems praying), 1996/2002
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Dinka cattle camp of Amak at the end of the day when the herd is back in the camp for the night. This is the most active time in the camp] cover Africa 06-2-61-54, 2006
    Dinka cattle camp of Amak at the end of the day when the herd is back in the camp for the night. This is the most active time in the camp] cover Africa 06-2-61-54, 2006
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Serra Pelada, Brazil (86-11-42-28), 1986
    Serra Pelada, Brazil (86-11-42-28), 1986
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Serra Pelada - Cast of Thousands 86-11-153-8, 1986
    Serra Pelada - Cast of Thousands 86-11-153-8, 1986
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Baobab Trees on a Mushroom Island in the Bay of Moramba, Madagascar, 10-6-13778, 2010
    Baobab Trees on a Mushroom Island in the Bay of Moramba, Madagascar, 10-6-13778, 2010
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  • Sebastião Salgado, BLINDED BY SANDSTORMS AND CHRONIC EYE INFECTIONS, THIS WOMAN IS WAITING FOR FOOD DISTRIBUTION, GOUNDAM REGION, MALI 85-3-13-43
    BLINDED BY SANDSTORMS AND CHRONIC EYE INFECTIONS, THIS WOMAN IS WAITING FOR FOOD DISTRIBUTION, GOUNDAM REGION, MALI 85-3-13-43
    Inquire
  • Sebastião Salgado, CHILDREN'S WARD IN THE KOREM REFUGEE CAMP, ETHIOPIA [MOTHER & CHILD 84-3-234-15
    CHILDREN'S WARD IN THE KOREM REFUGEE CAMP, ETHIOPIA [MOTHER & CHILD 84-3-234-15
    Inquire
  • Sebastião Salgado, Chimborazo, Ecuador, 1998
    Chimborazo, Ecuador, 1998
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Ecuador (peasant girl in field), 1998/2001
    Ecuador (peasant girl in field), 1998/2001
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Erg Ubari, Ramla d’El Daouda, Libya, 2009
    Erg Ubari, Ramla d’El Daouda, Libya, 2009
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Feet, Brazil, 1983
    Feet, Brazil, 1983
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Luísa, daughter of Moisés Piyãko Asháninka, 2016
    Luísa, daughter of Moisés Piyãko Asháninka, 2016
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Manda Yawanawa, daughter of Jeré (Yawakashahu) Yawanawá, from the village of Escondido. Rio Gregório Indigenous Territory, state of Acre, 2016
    Manda Yawanawa, daughter of Jeré (Yawakashahu) Yawanawá, from the village of Escondido. Rio Gregório Indigenous Territory, state of Acre, 2016
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Mount Roraima. Border between Brazil and Guyana, 2018
    Mount Roraima. Border between Brazil and Guyana, 2018
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Mount Roraima. Waterfalls Border between Brazil and Guyana, 2018
    Mount Roraima. Waterfalls Border between Brazil and Guyana, 2018
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Mushroom cloud rain. Sierre do Divisor Nat'l Park, 2016
    Mushroom cloud rain. Sierre do Divisor Nat'l Park, 2016
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Pirakumã Kamayurá bringing fish for women’s festival, Yamurikumã, Xingu Indigenous Territory, 2005
    Pirakumã Kamayurá bringing fish for women’s festival, Yamurikumã, Xingu Indigenous Territory, 2005
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  • Sebastião Salgado, River landscape, estuary of the Jaú River. Jaú National Park, State of Amazonas, Brazil,, 2019
    River landscape, estuary of the Jaú River. Jaú National Park, State of Amazonas, Brazil,, 2019
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Rwanda (Zone Turquoise Refugee Camp), 1995/2001
    Rwanda (Zone Turquoise Refugee Camp), 1995/2001
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Serbia (broken windshield), 1995/2001
    Serbia (broken windshield), 1995/2001
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Wood Delivery Men for the Villages of the Eastern Sierra Madre in theVicinity of Hualtla de Jiménez, Mexico, 1980/2021
    Wood Delivery Men for the Villages of the Eastern Sierra Madre in theVicinity of Hualtla de Jiménez, Mexico, 1980/2021
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Turkey (children playing in alley), 1999/2001
    Turkey (children playing in alley), 1999/2001
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Vietnam (pulling boat ashore), 1995/2003
    Vietnam (pulling boat ashore), 1995/2003
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Waurá fishers, Xingu Indigenous Territory, 2005
    Waurá fishers, Xingu Indigenous Territory, 2005
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Yanomami Indians from the community of Maturacá, looking at Yaripo, the summit of Pico da Neblina. Yanomami Indigenous Territory, State of Amazonas, Brazil, 2014
    Yanomami Indians from the community of Maturacá, looking at Yaripo, the summit of Pico da Neblina. Yanomami Indigenous Territory, State of Amazonas, Brazil, 2014
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Yara Ashaninka, Kampa do Rio Amônea Indigenous Territory, State of Acre, Brazil, 2016
    Yara Ashaninka, Kampa do Rio Amônea Indigenous Territory, State of Acre, Brazil, 2016
    Inquire
  • Sebastião Salgado, Yaukuma, young Waurá warrior, Xingu Indigenous Territory, 2005
    Yaukuma, young Waurá warrior, Xingu Indigenous Territory, 2005
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Kuikuro warriors parade during Kuarup festival, Xingu Indigenous Territory, 2005
    Kuikuro warriors parade during Kuarup festival, Xingu Indigenous Territory, 2005
    Inquire
  • Sebastião Salgado, Keiá Yawanawa, a young Yawanawá shaman, 2016
    Keiá Yawanawa, a young Yawanawá shaman, 2016
    Inquire
  • Sebastião Salgado, Kamayurá pajés (shamans). Xingu Indigenous Territory, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil, 2005
    Kamayurá pajés (shamans). Xingu Indigenous Territory, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil, 2005
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Kamayurá boy leaps into the Tuatuari River, Xingu Indigenous Territory, 2005, 2009
    Kamayurá boy leaps into the Tuatuari River, Xingu Indigenous Territory, 2005, 2009
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Josane (foreground) and Aldeni, residents of communities in the Demini River region. Yanomami Indigenous Territory, State of Amazonas, Brazil,, 2014
    Josane (foreground) and Aldeni, residents of communities in the Demini River region. Yanomami Indigenous Territory, State of Amazonas, Brazil,, 2014
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Jaú River, Jaú National Park, State of Amazonas, Brazil, 2019
    Jaú River, Jaú National Park, State of Amazonas, Brazil, 2019
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Fishing with timbó, a toxic substance that can paralyze fish, in the Jukihi stream. Suruwahá Indigenous Territory, State of Amazonas, Brazil, 2017
    Fishing with timbó, a toxic substance that can paralyze fish, in the Jukihi stream. Suruwahá Indigenous Territory, State of Amazonas, Brazil, 2017
    Inquire
  • Sebastião Salgado, Clump of jauari palm trees banks of the Jaú River, 2019
    Clump of jauari palm trees banks of the Jaú River, 2019
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Biraci Brasil (Nishiwaká), leader of the Yawanawá of the Upper Rio Gregório, 2016
    Biraci Brasil (Nishiwaká), leader of the Yawanawá of the Upper Rio Gregório, 2016
    Inquire
  • Sebastião Salgado, Bela Yawanawá, Rio Gregório Indigenous Territory, State of Acre, Brazil, 2019
    Bela Yawanawá, Rio Gregório Indigenous Territory, State of Acre, Brazil, 2019
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  • Sebastião Salgado, Aracá State Park. El Dorado Falls (background) and Desabamento Falls (foreground). State of Amazonas, Brazil, 2019
    Aracá State Park. El Dorado Falls (background) and Desabamento Falls (foreground). State of Amazonas, Brazil, 2019
    Inquire
  • Sebastião Salgado, Warriors face off in huka-huka fight, Waurá Village, Xingu Indigenous Territory, 2005
    Warriors face off in huka-huka fight, Waurá Village, Xingu Indigenous Territory, 2005
    Inquire
  • Sebastião Salgado, Chinstrap Penguins, Deception Island, Antarctica, 2005
    Chinstrap Penguins, Deception Island, Antarctica, 2005
    Inquire
  • Sebastião Salgado, Auzelina Piyãko Asháninka and daughter making seed necklaces. Kampa do Rio Amônea Indigenous Territory, state of Acre, 2016
    Auzelina Piyãko Asháninka and daughter making seed necklaces. Kampa do Rio Amônea Indigenous Territory, state of Acre, 2016
    Inquire
  • Sebastião Salgado, Anavilhanas archipelago, Anavilhanas National Park, Lower Rio Negro. State of Amazonas, Brazil, 2019
    Anavilhanas archipelago, Anavilhanas National Park, Lower Rio Negro. State of Amazonas, Brazil, 2019
    Inquire
  • Sebastião Salgado, Adão Yawanawá in a headdress of eagle feathers, Village of Nova Esperança Rio Gregório Indigenous Territory, State of Acre, Brazil, 2016
    Adão Yawanawá in a headdress of eagle feathers, Village of Nova Esperança Rio Gregório Indigenous Territory, State of Acre, Brazil, 2016
    Inquire
  • Sebastião Salgado, Sleeping Beauty Mountains - São Gabriel da Cachoeira, 2009
    Sleeping Beauty Mountains - São Gabriel da Cachoeira, 2009
    Inquire
  • Sebastião Salgado, The paraná connecting the Rio Negro with the Cuyuní River.In Portuguese,paranásarelake- like bodies of water connected to major rivers by canals called furos (punctures). During floods, the two often merge as if the river were widening. State of Amazonas, 2019
    The paraná connecting the Rio Negro with the Cuyuní River.In Portuguese,paranásarelake- like bodies of water connected to major rivers by canals called furos (punctures). During floods, the two often merge as if the river were widening. State of Amazonas, 2019
    Inquire
  • Sebastião Salgado, The municipality of São Gabriel da Cachoeira. Cauaburi River, Yanomami Indigenous Territory, State of Amazonas, Brazil, 2018
    The municipality of São Gabriel da Cachoeira. Cauaburi River, Yanomami Indigenous Territory, State of Amazonas, Brazil, 2018
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  • Sebastião Salgado, The Demini River is a tributary of the Rio Negro and flows through the Yanomami Indigenous Territory, bordering the rises of Serra do Aracá Park, State of Amazonas, Brazil, 2019
    The Demini River is a tributary of the Rio Negro and flows through the Yanomami Indigenous Territory, bordering the rises of Serra do Aracá Park, State of Amazonas, Brazil, 2019
    Inquire
  • Sebastião Salgado, State of Amazonas, Brazil, 2009
    State of Amazonas, Brazil, 2009
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Series
Exhibitions
Overview
View works. Sebastião Salgado, Aracá State Park. El Dorado Falls (background) and Desabamento Falls (foreground). State of Amazonas, Brazil, 2019
Aracá State Park. El Dorado Falls (background) and Desabamento Falls (foreground). State of Amazonas, Brazil, 2019
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"WHEN I TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH, I ENGAGE MY ENTIRE CULTURAL, HUMAN AND SOCIAL HERITAGE ... A PHOTOGRAPH IS TAKEN IN A FRACTION OF A SECOND, BUT YOU NEED A WHOLE LIFE  IN ORDER TO CREATE IT." -  Sebastião Salgado

Economist-turned-artist Sebastião Salgado began his photography practice after his finance role with the International Coffee Organization and the World Bank led him to travel to tea plantations in Africa. Inspired by the people he photographed during his trips, Salgado quit his finance job to continue traveling and photographing the rest of the world and its inhabitants. His works highlight global issues relating to nature, workers, and the human condition, and while he believes that his photographs alone will not be able to change the world, he uses them as a vehicle for awareness coupled with larger movements for action.

Biography
View works. Sebastião Salgado, Aracá State Park. El Dorado Falls (background) and Desabamento Falls (foreground). State of Amazonas, Brazil, 2019
Aracá State Park. El Dorado Falls (background) and Desabamento Falls (foreground). State of Amazonas, Brazil, 2019
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“Photography is much more than just taking pictures – it is a way of life. What you feel, what you want to express, is your ideology and your ethics. It’s a language that allows you to travel over the wave of history.” 

Salgado’s work spanned continents and decades, but it always returned to the human spirit—its resilience, its dignity, and its place within the natural world. Through projects like Workers, Migrations, and Genesis, he captured the complexity and gravity of the world with a rare sense of purpose. His black-and-white photographs are known not only for their technical mastery and scale but for their emotional depth and commitment to storytelling.

Trained originally as an economist, Salgado began photographing in his thirties, bringing to the medium a unique social and ethical awareness. Over time, he developed a visual language that was both intimate and monumental. Whether portraying gold miners in Brazil, displaced families in Rwanda, or the pristine wilderness of the Galápagos, Salgado treated every subject with respect and a deep sense of responsibility.

Alongside his wife and collaborator, Lélia Wanick Salgado, he also dedicated himself to environmental restoration. The couple co-founded Instituto Terra, a major reforestation initiative in his home country Brazil that has become a global model for ecological recovery.

 

Salgado received numerous honors throughout his career, including the W. Eugene Smith Grant, the Royal Photographic Society’s Centenary Medal, and designation as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. Yet for many in the fine art and documentary photography communities, his true legacy lies in the power of his images to move us—to compassion, to awareness, and to action.

 

In a time where the speed of images often outweighs their substance, Sebastião Salgado reminded us that photography can still be a force for understanding, reflection, and change.