Jan Lukas

Jan Lukas (1915-2006) was a Czech humanistic photographer and is considered a pioneer in modern Czech photography. Born in Ceske Budejovice, he photographed many historically important moments in Czech history before, during and after World War II. Many of these photographs became part of his "Prague Diary" collection. He left Czechoslovakia in 1965, temporarily destroying his name and the sale of his work in the country. For ten months he stayed at a refugee camps in Italy, where he produced the "Italian Diary," documenting life in the camps.  

Lukas and his family would eventually immigrate to the United States, where he gained citizenship in 1971. Although he traveled around the world, New York City became his new home.