Accession Number
1975/2.97

Title
Lackarbeiter

Artist(s)
August Sander

Artist Nationality
German (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
1930

Medium & Support
gelatin silver print on paper

Dimensions
8 7/8 in x 6 1/8 in (22.54 cm x 15.56 cm);22 3/16 in x 18 1/8 in (56.36 cm x 46.04 cm);17 5/16 in x 13 7/16 in (43.97 cm x 34.13 cm)

Credit Line
Museum Purchase

Subject matter
Within Sander's photographs of types of people, this portrait of a varnisher appears in "Working Types – Physical and Intellectual" section of the "The Skilled Tradesman" category of people. Standing in a doorframe and holding a can of varnish, this workman appears to pose with his sleeves rolled up during his work. This photograph appears in Sander’s lifelong work Citizens of the Twentieth Century. In this series, Sander aspired to create a comprehensive anthology of Germany by photographing all aspects of society, as he believed in the portrait as a true representation of a society. The Nazis found this work in opposition to their narrow ideals. In 1934 they destroyed Sander’s plates and banned him from making portraits, however many of his negatives survived.

Physical Description
A formal portrait of a man standing in the doorway of his studio. 

Primary Object Classification
Photograph

Collection Area
Photography

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
German (culture or style)
carpenters
clogs
doorways
male
males
modern and contemporary art
portraits
skilled workers
standing
varnish