Magnum Photos commemorated the 100th anniversary of renowned photographer Erich Hartmann's birth with a special tribute featuring a curated selection of his most iconic and influential images. Hartmann, who would have turned 100 years old on July 29, 2022, represents the quintessential 20th-century photographer whose life story and pioneering photographic practices embody the dramatic transformations of his era.
Born into a Jewish family in Munich, Germany, in 1922, Hartmann's early life was shaped by the turbulent political climate of the time. His birth came just over a year before Adolf Hitler's failed Beer Hall Putsch attempt in Munich, foreshadowing the dark period that would soon engulf Europe. As the Nazi regime rose to power and anti-Semitic persecution intensified, Hartmann and his immediate family made the difficult but life-saving decision to flee Germany.
The Hartmann family successfully escaped to the United States shortly before World War II erupted across Europe in 1939. However, their story took a remarkable turn when Erich returned to the continent five years later, this time as an American soldier fighting against the very regime that had forced his family into exile. His military service took him across multiple European theaters, including England, France, and Belgium, where he witnessed firsthand the liberation of occupied territories.
Following the end of the war, Hartmann's unique linguistic abilities and background led to his appointment as a court interpreter during the Nazi war crimes trials in Cologne, Germany. This role placed him at the center of one of history's most significant efforts to bring justice to those responsible for the Holocaust and other wartime atrocities. His experiences during this period would undoubtedly influence his later photographic work and worldview.
After completing his military and judicial service in Europe, Hartmann returned to the United States and established himself in New York City. There, he began building a new life, marrying and raising two children while pursuing his growing passion for photography. His commitment to mastering the craft led him to study under two of the most influential figures in American photography: Berenice Abbott, known for her documentary photography of New York City, and Alexey Brodovitch, the legendary art director of Harper's Bazaar magazine who revolutionized fashion and editorial photography.
Hartmann's education at the New School for Social Research provided him with both technical skills and artistic vision. He transitioned into freelance photography work, gradually building a reputation for his distinctive style and professional approach. His breakthrough came through his collaboration with Fortune magazine during the 1950s, where his work gained widespread recognition and established him as a significant voice in American photojournalism and documentary photography.
In 1952, Hartmann achieved a career milestone by joining Magnum Photos, the prestigious international photographic cooperative founded by legendary photographers including Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, and others. This affiliation with Magnum solidified his position among the world's most respected photojournalists and provided him with a platform to pursue ambitious long-term projects that would define his legacy in the medium.
