City scene with a train high in the distance

André Kertész
(1894 - 1985) American (b. Hungary)

Biography André KeAndré Kertész, born in Budapest in 1894, began his photographic journey after purchasing his first camera in 1912. He served in the Austro-Hungarian army during World War I and, in 1925, had his work published on the cover of Erdekes Ujsay. That same year, he moved to Paris, where he contributed to several major European publications. Kertész’s groundbreaking street photography with his Leica camera in 1928 established him as a leading figure in photography. He moved to the United States in 1936, freelancing for publications like Collier's and Harper's Bazaar and later worked under contract with Condé Nast until 1962. In the 1960s, his work gained international recognition, leading to solo exhibitions at prestigious venues like the Bibliothèque Nationale and the Museum of Modern Art. He also received numerous accolades, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and admission to the French Legion of Honor.

Kertész had a profound impact on a generation of photographers, including Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, and Brassaï, who regarded him as a mentor. His work combined a keen interest in movement and gesture with an emphasis on abstract composition, influencing both photojournalism and postwar photography. Through his personal and innovative approach, Kertész became a central figure in the development of modern photographic art, with his legacy continuing to inspire contemporary photographers well into the 1960s and 1970s. His photographs remain historically significant for their artistic depth and technical skill.
Lisa Hostetler
Handy et al. Reflections in a Glass Eye: Works from the International Center of Photography Collection, New York: Bulfinch Press in association with the International Center of Photography, 1999, pp. 219-20.