The photobook 2020 by Peter van Agtmael explores the zeitgeist of an unprecedented year through a documentary lens marked by intimate, raw portrayals. The images navigate a complex landscape shaped by social and political unrest, environmental crises, and personal resilience, capturing the tense atmosphere with a penetrating eye.

Van Agtmael’s photographic strategy employs close-range candid shots and wide-angle perspectives to convey a multifaceted narrative, emphasizing moments that reveal the fragility and endurance of individuals amidst broader turmoil. The 180-page volume, published by Mass Books, presents a chronological visual record that invites reflection on the layered experiences defining 2020.