Jürgen Schadeberg died on August 29 at age 89, ending an era of photography that spans more than seven decades.

The German-born photographer's collection of 200,000 negatives includes some of the most famous shots of Nelson Mandela, bookending the former South African President's 27-year stint in prison. Schadeberg also captured the vibrancy of Black communities in 1950s South Africa, when most other White journalists were not willing to do so.

His most famous photo is of Mandela staring through the bars of his prison cell on Robben Island after returning there in 1994.

"This was where he studied, did push-ups and reflected on the goal of the liberation of his people," said Schadeberg, in notes given to CNN by his wife Claudia.

Quotes from these notes have been included in some of the captions in this gallery, which captures the energy of a community seeking liberation.

Mandela looks through the bars of his Robben Island prison cell in 1994. "This was where he studied, did push-ups and reflected on the goal of the liberation of his people," said Schadeberg, in notes given to CNN by his wife Claudia.
Mandela looks through the bars of his Robben Island prison cell in 1994. "This was where he studied, did push-ups and reflected on the goal of the liberation of his people," said Schadeberg, in notes given to CNN by his wife Claudia.
Jurgen Schadeberg
The South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela receives a gift from jazz legend Louis Armstrong in 1954.
The South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela receives a gift from jazz legend Louis Armstrong in 1954.
Jurgen Schadeberg
Mandela is pictured in his law office in 1952. He shared his office with Oliver Tambo, who served as President of the African National Congress (ANC) from 1967 to 1991. "Mandela was on his way out and had files under his arm and I asked if he could wait for a minute ... he gave me 2 minutes and we talked on the way out," Schadeberg wrote in his notes.
Mandela is pictured in his law office in 1952. He shared his office with Oliver Tambo, who served as President of the African National Congress (ANC) from 1967 to 1991. "Mandela was on his way out and had files under his arm and I asked if he could wait for a minute ... he gave me 2 minutes and we talked on the way out," Schadeberg wrote in his notes.
Jurgen Schadeberg
Fans look up at British singer Cliff Richard during his visit to South Africa in 1960.
Fans look up at British singer Cliff Richard during his visit to South Africa in 1960.
Jurgen Schadeberg
Miriam Makeba, a leading songbird of the 1950s, poses for a photograph at a recording studio in Johannesburg in 1955. She was a hit in the US during the 1960s before returning home in 1994 to promote a message of peace and tolerance.
Miriam Makeba, a leading songbird of the 1950s, poses for a photograph at a recording studio in Johannesburg in 1955. She was a hit in the US during the 1960s before returning home in 1994 to promote a message of peace and tolerance.
Jurgen Schadeberg
Mandela stands with ANC President Dr. James Sebe Moroka, left, and President of the Indian National Congress Yusuf Dadoo while organizing the Defiance Campaign in 1952. In the same year, Mandela wrote an article in "Drum" magazine explaining his struggle "for freedom and national independence of the non-European people."
Mandela stands with ANC President Dr. James Sebe Moroka, left, and President of the Indian National Congress Yusuf Dadoo while organizing the Defiance Campaign in 1952. In the same year, Mandela wrote an article in "Drum" magazine explaining his struggle "for freedom and national independence of the non-European people."
Jurgen Schadeberg
South African pennywhistlers, like Lemmy "Special" Mabaso and his brothers, were common on the streets of Johannesburg. They're pictured here in 1953.
South African pennywhistlers, like Lemmy "Special" Mabaso and his brothers, were common on the streets of Johannesburg. They're pictured here in 1953.
Jurgen Schadeberg
Mandela and politician and activist Moses Kotane, left, are seen during the Treason Trial in 1958. At dawn on December 5, 1956, police raided, rounded up, arrested and charged with treason some 150 political leaders and academics.
Mandela and politician and activist Moses Kotane, left, are seen during the Treason Trial in 1958. At dawn on December 5, 1956, police raided, rounded up, arrested and charged with treason some 150 political leaders and academics.
Jurgen Schadeberg
Sophiatown, seen here, was a Black cultural hub that was destroyed during apartheid, despite the ANC and Mandela campaigning furiously against this with the slogan: "We Won't Move."
Sophiatown, seen here, was a Black cultural hub that was destroyed during apartheid, despite the ANC and Mandela campaigning furiously against this with the slogan: "We Won't Move."
Jurgen Schadeberg
Sol Rachilo, an actor and entrepreneur, poses with an issue of "Drum" in 1958. "Drum" was the first South African magazine that featured Black cover girls.
Sol Rachilo, an actor and entrepreneur, poses with an issue of "Drum" in 1958. "Drum" was the first South African magazine that featured Black cover girls.
Jurgen Schadeberg
The 1952 Defiance Campaign was a large-scale multiracial campaign against apartheid laws.
The 1952 Defiance Campaign was a large-scale multiracial campaign against apartheid laws.
Jurgen Schadeberg
People smoke in Sophiatown, one of the last areas of Black homeownership in Johannesburg, though even property owners were poor.
People smoke in Sophiatown, one of the last areas of Black homeownership in Johannesburg, though even property owners were poor.
Jurgen Schadeberg