Builders and doctors in Brasilia: Brasilia, the most modern capital city in the world has 65,000 inhabitants in 1959. Today, its population totals 250,000. In three years this figure will increase to 500,000. Since the first foundations were laid, builders and doctors worked closely together, first of all to see to it that the 60,000 workers who took part in building the new city stayed in good health, then to prevent the town from being invaded by the diseases of bush and forest. Immigrants' health is checked systematically on the road into Brasilia, while specialists study the flora and fauna of the environment in order to discover possible sources of dangerous diseases. Building sights in the center of town.

Skip to main content
Builders and doctors in Brasilia: Brasilia, the most modern capital city in the world has 65,000 inhabitants in 1959. Today, its population totals 250,000. In three years this figure will increase to 500,000. Since the first foundations were laid, builders and doctors worked closely together, first of all to see to it that the 60,000 workers who took part in building the new city stayed in good health, then to prevent the town from being invaded by the diseases of bush and forest. Immigrants' health is checked systematically on the road into Brasilia, while specialists study the flora and fauna of the environment in order to discover possible sources of dangerous diseases. Building sights in the center of town.
Builders and doctors in Brasilia: Brasilia, the most modern capital city in the world has 65,000 inhabitants in 1959. Today, its population totals 250,000. In three years this figure will increase to 500,000. Since the first foundations were laid, builders and doctors worked closely together, first of all to see to it that the 60,000 workers who took part in building the new city stayed in good health, then to prevent the town from being invaded by the diseases of bush and forest. Immigrants' health is checked systematically on the road into Brasilia, while specialists study the flora and fauna of the environment in order to discover possible sources of dangerous diseases. Building sights in the center of town.
Artist/Maker (French-Hungarian, 1906 – 2003)
Dateca. 1960s
MediumVintage gelatin silver print
DimensionsOverall: 10 × 8 1/8 in. (25.4 × 20.6 cm) Image: 10 × 8 1/8 in. (25.4 × 20.6 cm)
Credit LineGift of Thomas J. Wilson and Jill M. Garling, P2016
Object number2022.15.176
Not on view
Collections

Additional Details

Provenance 2022: Hamilton College (Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art)
From the collection of Charles-Henri Favrod, the founding director of the Musée de l'Elysée de la Photographie in Lausanne, Switzerland
Markings Verso, center: "WHO/8475 Brazil-Brasilia/ BUILDERS AND DOCTORS IN BRASILIA. Brasilia, the most modern capital city in the world has 65,000 inhabitants in 1959. Today, its population totals 250,000. In three years this figure will increase to 500,000. Since the first foundations were laid, builders and doctors worked closely together, first of all to see to it that the 60,000 workers who took part in building the new city stayed in good health, then to prevent the town from being invaded by the diseases of bush and forest. Immigrants' health is checked systematically on the road into Brasilia, while specialists study the flora and fauna of the environment in order to discover possible sources of dangerous diseases. Pools of water on the building sites, on the open stretches of land and in the streets constitute a serious problem for the health services."

Verso, center: "BATISSEURS ET MEDECINS A BRASILIA. Brasilia, la plus moderne des capitales du/ monde, comptait 65,000 habitants en 1959. Aujord'hui 250.000. Dans 3 ans/ 500.000. Des que furent jetees les premieres fondations, les batisseurs et les/ medecins ont travaille en etroite collaboration. D'abord pour veiller a ce que/ les 60.000 ouvriers qui ont participe a l'edification de la nouvelle cite/ demeurent en bonne sante. Ensuite pour interdire l'acces de la ville aux/ maladies de la foret et de la brousse. Les immigrant sont soumis a un controle/ sanitaire systematique sur les routes menant a Brasilia, tandis que des/ specialistes etudient la flore et la faune de environs pour y descouvrir les/ foyers eventuels de maladies./ Les flaques d'eau stagnante sur les terrains vagues, les rues et les terrains/ a batir creant des problemes que les services de sante ont de la peine a resoudre./ WHO phot by Paul Almasy"
Inscribed Verso, top left corner: "PAL-F-24.1 2500-"
Verso, top center: "FCC F731"
Builders and doctors in Brasilia: Brasilia, the most modern capital city in the world has 65,000 inhabitants in 1959. Today, its population totals 250,000. In three years this figure will increase to 500,000. Since the first foundations were laid, builders and doctors worked closely together, first of all to see to it that the 60,000 workers who took part in building the new city stayed in good health, then to prevent the town from being invaded by the diseases of bush and forest. Immigrants' health is checked systematically on the road into Brasilia, while specialists study the flora and fauna of the environment in order to discover possible sources of dangerous diseases. Building sights in the center of town.
Builders and doctors in Brasilia: Brasilia, the most modern capital city in the world has 65,000 inhabitants in 1959. Today, its population totals 250,000. In three years this figure will increase to 500,000. Since the first foundations were laid, builders and doctors worked closely together, first of all to see to it that the 60,000 workers who took part in building the new city stayed in good health, then to prevent the town from being invaded by the diseases of bush and forest. Immigrants' health is checked systematically on the road into Brasilia, while specialists study the flora and fauna of the environment in order to discover possible sources of dangerous diseases. Building sights in the center of town.
Paul Almasy
Date: 1960-1969
Medium: Vintage gelatin silver print
Object number: 2022.15.174
Builders and doctors in Brasilia: Brasilia, the most modern capital city in the world has 65,000 inhabitants in 1959. Today, its population totals 250,000. In three years this figure will increase to 500,000. Since the first foundations were laid, builders and doctors worked closely together, first of all to see to it that the 60,000 workers who took part in building the new city stayed in good health, then to prevent the town from being invaded by the diseases of bush and forest. Immigrants' health is checked systematically on the road into Brasilia, while specialists study the flora and fauna of the environment in order to discover possible sources of dangerous diseases. Dr. Cattete Pinheiro, Brazilian Minister of Health, at the window of his office.
Builders and doctors in Brasilia: Brasilia, the most modern capital city in the world has 65,000 inhabitants in 1959. Today, its population totals 250,000. In three years this figure will increase to 500,000. Since the first foundations were laid, builders and doctors worked closely together, first of all to see to it that the 60,000 workers who took part in building the new city stayed in good health, then to prevent the town from being invaded by the diseases of bush and forest. Immigrants' health is checked systematically on the road into Brasilia, while specialists study the flora and fauna of the environment in order to discover possible sources of dangerous diseases. Dr. Cattete Pinheiro, Brazilian Minister of Health, at the window of his office.
Paul Almasy
Date: c. 1960
Medium: Vintage gelatin silver print
Object number: 2022.15.175
Builders and doctors in Brasilia: Brasilia, the most modern capital city in the world has 65,000 inhabitants in 1959. Today, its population totals 250,000. In three years this figure will increase to 500,000. Since the first foundations were laid, builders and doctors worked closely together, first of all to see to it that the 60,000 workers who took part in building the new city stayed in good health, then to prevent the town from being invaded by the diseases of bush and forest. Immigrants' health is checked systematically on the road into Brasilia, while specialists study the flora and fauna of the environment in order to discover possible sources of dangerous diseases. The cathedral under construction. Ca. 1960s
Builders and doctors in Brasilia: Brasilia, the most modern capital city in the world has 65,000 inhabitants in 1959. Today, its population totals 250,000. In three years this figure will increase to 500,000. Since the first foundations were laid, builders and doctors worked closely together, first of all to see to it that the 60,000 workers who took part in building the new city stayed in good health, then to prevent the town from being invaded by the diseases of bush and forest. Immigrants' health is checked systematically on the road into Brasilia, while specialists study the flora and fauna of the environment in order to discover possible sources of dangerous diseases. The cathedral under construction. Ca. 1960s
Paul Almasy
Date: c. 1960
Medium: Vintage gelatin silver print
Object number: 2022.15.170
Builders and doctors in Brasilia: Brasilia, the most modern capital city in the world has 65,000 inhabitants in 1959. Today, its population totals 250,000. In three years, this figure will increase to 500,000. Since the first foundations were laid, builders and doctors have worked closely together, first to see to it that the 60,000 workers who took part in building the new city stayed in good health; then to prevent the town from being invaded by diseases of the bush and forest. Immigrants' health are checked systematically on the roads in order to discover possible sources of dangerous disease.
Builders and doctors in Brasilia: Brasilia, the most modern capital city in the world has 65,000 inhabitants in 1959. Today, its population totals 250,000. In three years, this figure will increase to 500,000. Since the first foundations were laid, builders and doctors have worked closely together, first to see to it that the 60,000 workers who took part in building the new city stayed in good health; then to prevent the town from being invaded by diseases of the bush and forest. Immigrants' health are checked systematically on the roads in order to discover possible sources of dangerous disease.
Paul Almasy
Date: 1960-1969
Medium: Vintage gelatin silver print
Object number: 2022.15.169
Builders and doctors in Brasilia: Brasilia, the most modern capital city in the world has 65,000 inhabitants in 1959. Today, its population totals 250,000. In three years, this figure will increase to 500,000. Since the first foundations were laid, builders and doctors have worked closely together, first to see to it that the 60,000 workers who took part in building the new city stayed in good health; then to prevent the town from being invaded by diseases of the bush and forest. Immigrants' health are checked systematically on the roads in order to discover possible sources of dangerous disease.
Builders and doctors in Brasilia: Brasilia, the most modern capital city in the world has 65,000 inhabitants in 1959. Today, its population totals 250,000. In three years, this figure will increase to 500,000. Since the first foundations were laid, builders and doctors have worked closely together, first to see to it that the 60,000 workers who took part in building the new city stayed in good health; then to prevent the town from being invaded by diseases of the bush and forest. Immigrants' health are checked systematically on the roads in order to discover possible sources of dangerous disease.
Paul Almasy
Date: c. 1960
Medium: Vintage gelatin silver print
Object number: 2022.15.172
Peru - background: Health and progress. Health and Progress is the central theme of a special issue of World Health devoted to Latin America. Its shows the mutual dependence of the various components of well-being, in which health as a social service is included. It also stresses that only harmonious planned development can bring about progress. Improvement and modernization of working conditions make a better life, better health and a higher yield. Clearing the jungle in Lorato Province
Peru - background: Health and progress. Health and Progress is the central theme of a special issue of World Health devoted to Latin America. Its shows the mutual dependence of the various components of well-being, in which health as a social service is included. It also stresses that only harmonious planned development can bring about progress. Improvement and modernization of working conditions make a better life, better health and a higher yield. Clearing the jungle in Lorato Province
Paul Almasy
Date: c. 1960
Medium: Vintage gelatin silver print
Object number: 2022.15.171
Guatemala - Rural health: The villager meets 20th Century: San Jorge (Guatemala) with its 800 inhabitants is a village like 10,000 others in Latin America (65% of the population is rural in Central America, 58% in South America). From the health point of view, rural populations present a complex problem and in most countries rural health services are only now taking root, San Jorge.
Guatemala - Rural health: The villager meets 20th Century: San Jorge (Guatemala) with its 800 inhabitants is a village like 10,000 others in Latin America (65% of the population is rural in Central America, 58% in South America). From the health point of view, rural populations present a complex problem and in most countries rural health services are only now taking root, San Jorge.
Paul Almasy
Date: 1960-1969
Medium: Vintage gelatin silver print
Object number: 2022.15.168
Reflection of American flag in the CBS building, New York City
Reflection of American flag in the CBS building, New York City
Jean Mohr
Date: c. 1965
Medium: Ferrotyped gelatin silver print
Object number: 2021.12.220
Old city gate, buildings all around were destroyed in WWII, Danzig, Poland
Old city gate, buildings all around were destroyed in WWII, Danzig, Poland
Leonard Freed
Date: 1973
Medium: Gelatin silver print
Object number: 2020.9.118
Police check out reported crooks in office building at night, New York City
Police check out reported crooks in office building at night, New York City
Leonard Freed
Date: 1978
Medium: Vintage gelatin silver print
Object number: 2023.12.153
Doctor listening to child's heartbeat, the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Doctor listening to child's heartbeat, the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Marc Riboud
Date: 1960
Medium: Gelatin silver print
Object number: 2021.12.248
Portrait of Swiss doctor Paul Niehans, who developed cellular therapy, resting head on hand
Portrait of Swiss doctor Paul Niehans, who developed cellular therapy, resting head on hand
Gertrude Fehr
Date: 1967
Medium: Vintage ferrotyped gelatin silver print
Object number: 2022.15.214