Artists

André Kertész, a photographic artist born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1894, is celebrated for his significant contributions to photographic composition and the photo-essay. After purchasing his first camera in 1912, Kertész became well-known for his work in Paris during the 1920s, where he freelanced for various European publications, befriended members of the Dada movement, and made innovative use of a Leica camera on the city streets. In 1936, he emigrated to the United States, where he freelanced for magazines such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and House & Garden before working under contract to Condé Nast until 1962. Over time, he gained widespread recognition and respect in America, with major retrospectives of his work at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1946 and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in 1964. Kertész's influence extended to many photographers, including Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, and Brassaï, who considered him a mentor during the late 20s and early 30s. His later work in the 1960s and 1970s inspired many other contemporary photographers. Kertész is appreciated for his unique and influential contributions to the art of postwar photography.