Social reality in portrait – Thomas Kellner’s homage to August Sander’s “Face of Time”.
Photo artist Thomas Kellner's latest project, "Facets of the Metropolis after August Sander," is a homage to the famous photographer. On the occasion of August Sander's 150th birthday in 2026, Kellner portrays the people of a metropolis—inspired by the iconic work "The Face of Time."
A total of 1,056 portraits were created. The photo book of the same name presents 60 selected photographs from this series. Kellner's 34th monograph is accompanied by worthwhile essays that focus on the sociological aspect of documentary photography and simultaneously illuminate his methodology and the inspiration behind the project.
This spiritual successor to Sander's work demonstrates the social significance of photographic documentation – and opens up a new, contemporary perspective on urban life. The setting for the project is Siegen, Thomas Kellner's hometown and a neighboring town to August Sander's hometown of Herdorf – a deliberate choice that underscores the project's personal and thematic depth.
With Facets of the Big City, Thomas Kellner invites you to immerse yourself in the realities of life of a wide variety of people – a book about society, history and the face of our time.
Facets of the big city
Hardcover
Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout
Estimated shipping date: November 25, 2025
Social reality in portrait – Thomas Kellner’s homage to August Sander’s “Face of Time”.
Photo artist Thomas Kellner's latest project, "Facets of the Metropolis after August Sander," is a homage to the famous photographer. On the occasion of August Sander's 150th birthday in 2026, Kellner portrays the people of a metropolis—inspired by the iconic work "The Face of Time."
A total of 1,056 portraits were created. The photo book of the same name presents 60 selected photographs from this series. Kellner's 34th monograph is accompanied by worthwhile essays that focus on the sociological aspect of documentary photography and simultaneously illuminate his methodology and the inspiration behind the project.
This spiritual successor to Sander's work demonstrates the social significance of photographic documentation – and opens up a new, contemporary perspective on urban life. The setting for the project is Siegen, Thomas Kellner's hometown and a neighboring town to August Sander's hometown of Herdorf – a deliberate choice that underscores the project's personal and thematic depth.
With Facets of the Big City, Thomas Kellner invites you to immerse yourself in the realities of life of a wide variety of people – a book about society, history and the face of our time.