Jürgen Schadeberg

*March 18, 1931, Berlin, Germany | †August,29 2020, La Drova, Spain

The beginning of Jürgen Schadebergs photographic career was the framework of an apprenticeship at the German Press Agency in Hamburg. In 1951 he emigrated to South Africa and worked there as chief photographer, image editor and art director at Drum Magazine.

In the 1950s, Schadeberg was given the opportunity to learn and hold decisive moments in the lives of South Africans. The photographs of this period impressively document the struggles of the population during apartheid and show important protagonists of South African history such as Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Yusuf Dadoo and Huddleston. Important moments like The Defiance Campaign in 1952, The Treason Trial of 1958, The Sophiatown Removals and the Sharpeville Funeral 1960 are events that Schadeberg has witnessed.

His pictures, however, include not only political figures, but also those from the jazz scene and literature, among others. Dolly Rathebe, Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, and Kippie Moeketsi.

In 1964 Schadeberg moved to London, where he worked as a freelance photographer for renowned European and American magazines in the 1960s and 1970s. He also teaches at the New School in New York, the Central School of Art & Design in London and the Kunsthochschule in Hamburg. During this time he has several exhibitions, among others. "The Quality of Life", which was shown at the opening of the New National Theater in 1976. In 1985, he returned to South Africa, where he also held many individual and group exhibitions.

The Federal Service Cross will be awarded in 2007. In addition to numerous books he publishes together with his wife Claudia, he founded the Schadeberg Movie Company and produced a series of documentary films on the cultural and political history of South Africa.

The work of Jürgen Schadeberg leaves its traces worldwide and includes 70 years of timeless and iconic photographs.