Boris Ignatovich in Mariupol’, 1937

Azovstal’ Metallurgy Plant, Mariupol’, Ukraine, 1937 (printed 1960s)
Gelatin silver print, 9 5/8 x 6 3/8” (24.5 x 16.2 cm)

In 1937, Boris Ignatovich (Russian, 1899–1976) took a series of photographs of the Azovstal’ metallurgy plant in the port city of Mariupol’, Ukraine. Established by Soviet decree in 1930 and fully functional in 1933, by the late 1930s Azovstal’ was among Europe’s largest steel production facilities. “The power of our industry is especially expressively shown in the works of … Ignatovich (Azovstal’),” wrote Semen V. Evgenov in his November 10, 1937 review of the First All-Union Exhibition of Photographic Art in Moscow (Soviet Photo, no. 12 [1937]:10).

Azovstal’ Metallurgy Plant, Mariupol’, Ukraine: Molten Steel, 
1937 (printed 1969)
Gelatin silver print mounted on board, 40 x 26 1/2” (101.6 x 67.3 cm)

Azovstal’ Metallurgy Plant, Mariupol’, Ukraine: Pig Iron Pouring, 
1937 (printed 1960s)
Gelatin silver print, 6 1/8 x 7 3/8” (15.5 x 18.7 cm)

Azovstal’ Metallurgy Plant, Mariupol’, Ukraine, 1937 (printed 1960s)
Gelatin silver print, 7 1/8 x 9 1/2” (18.1 x 24 cm)

Azovstal’ Metallurgy Plant, Mariupol’, Ukraine: At the Blast Furnace, 
1937 (printed 1960s)
Gelatin silver print, 6 3/8 x 9 3/4” (16.2 x 24.8 cm)

March 22, 2022