August Sander, Circus Artists (1926-32) August Sander (1876-1964) is widely regarded as one of the most important photographers of the early 20th century. His legacy centers on his photographic series, “People of the Twentieth Century,” from which the image below was taken. Grand in ambition and democratic in scope, the series aimed to portray the entire spectrum of life among the German people. It was a quintessential Weimar project. In style and temperament, Sander’s photographs were marked by a strong humanitarian impulse. He issued no judgments and did not shy away from photographing marginalized figures like these circus workers.