Photographer Sebastião Salgado dies at 81

Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado died today (May 23) at the age of 81 in Paris. The information was confirmed by Instituto Terra, an NGO founded by Salgado.

“Sebastião was much more than one of the greatest photographers of our time. Alongside his life partner, Lélia Deluiz Wanick Salgado, he sowed hope where there was devastation and made the idea flourish that environmental restoration is also a profound gesture of love for humanity. His lens unveiled the world and its contradictions; his life, the power of transformative action,” the note reads.

Salgado was born in Aimorés, in the state of Minas Gerais, on February 9, 1944. He traveled to more than 120 countries in his photographic projects.

In a statement, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva mourned the death of the photographer and said he felt deeply saddened.

“His nonconformity with the fact that the world is so unequal and his obstinate talent for portraying the reality of the oppressed have always served as a wake-up call for the conscience of all humanity,” the president wrote.

“His work,” he added, “will continue to be a cry for solidarity—and a reminder that we are all equal in our diversity.”