André Kertész (1894-1985) was a Hungarian-born photographer known for his innovative style and groundbreaking contributions to modernist photography. He is widely considered one of the most important photographers of the 20th century.
Kertész was born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1894, and became interested in photography as a teenager. After serving in World War I, he began working as a freelance photographer, taking portraits and documenting everyday life in Hungary. In the 1920s, he became part of the vibrant artistic community in Paris, where he continued to develop his unique approach to photography.
Kertész's work is characterized by a focus on the everyday, capturing the small details and moments that make up our lives. His photographs often use unusual angles and perspectives to create a sense of depth and dimension, and he was known for his technical skill and ability to create striking images with even the simplest subjects.
Throughout his career, Kertész traveled extensively and documented life in a variety of cities, including Paris, New York, and Budapest. He was also a prolific portrait photographer, capturing images of many notable figures in the art world, including Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, and Constantin Brancusi.
Kertész's work was celebrated and exhibited throughout his career, and he received numerous honors and awards, including the prestigious Hasselblad Foundation International Award for Photography in 1982. He continued to work and experiment with new techniques until his death in 1985.
Some of Kertész's most important works include "Chez Mondrian" (1926), "Melancholic Tulip" (1939), "Washington Square" (1954), and "From My Window" (1979). These images showcase Kertész's unique vision and technical skill, and continue to inspire and influence photographers today.