A Chimney Sweep

This evocative postwar photograph, taken in Frankfurt am Main in 1947, shows a chimney sweep at work amid the ruins of a city slowly rebuilding after World War II. Once symbols of good luck and prosperity, chimney sweeps played a vital role in restoring safety and warmth to homes devastated by bombings.

Clad in traditional dark clothing and carrying his brushes and ropes, the man in this image embodies the spirit of renewal and resilience that defined Germany’s recovery years. Beyond its simple subject, the photo tells a larger story — of ordinary workers helping bring life back to a shattered city.

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