André Kertész emerged as a defining force in twentieth-century photography, fundamentally altering the conventions of composition and the photo essay. Born in Budapest in 1894, he operated across the Hungarian, French, American, and International spheres. His career spanned decades of artistic experimentation, moving from the pastoral Hungarian Plains to the creative epicenters of Paris and New York City.
Early Development and Hungarian Roots
Raised in a middle-class Jewish household, Kertész initially followed a path toward commerce, graduating from the Academy of Commerce in 1912. However, he pursued photography as an autodidact, purchasing his first ICA box camera in 1912. During his military service in World War I, he documented trench life using a Goerz Tenax. His early work, including Sleeping Boy in 1912 and Underwater Swimmer in 1917, established a mature style that prioritized unusual angles and lyrical compositions.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →The Paris Era
Seeking artistic growth, Kertész moved to Paris in 1925, joining a vibrant community of immigrant artists. He adopted the name André and secured consistent work for European magazines, including the illustrated publication VU. In 1927, he achieved a milestone by becoming the first photographer to host a one-man exhibition at the Sacre du Printemps Gallery. During these years, he collaborated with various figures of the Dada movement and further explored his innovative series of distortions.
Relocation and International Recognition
The geopolitical instability of the 1930s prompted Kertész to emigrate to the United States in 1936 to escape the persecution of Jews in Europe. Rebuilding his reputation through commissioned projects proved challenging, and he eventually shifted away from magazine work in the 1940s and 1950s. His later life brought widespread acclaim, culminating in the receipt of the Legion of Honour in 1983. He remained a resident of New York City until his death in 1985.
Fast facts
- Born: 2 July 1894, Budapest
- Died: 28 September 1985, New York City
- Citizenship: Kingdom of Hungary, United States
- Key Award: Legion of Honour (1983)
- Primary Occupations: Photographer, Photojournalist, Writer
- Early Camera: ICA box camera
- World War I Service: Austro-Hungarian Army
Questions readers ask
Why did Kertész leave Europe for the United States?
He emigrated in 1936 to escape the rise of German persecution of Jews and the growing threat of World War II.
How did his career periods change his work?
His work is categorized into four periods—Hungarian, French, American, and International—reflecting his geographic relocation and the shifting focus of his artistic commissions and themes.
Achievements
- Legion of Honour — 1983
- Worked as photographer, writer and photojournalist
