Why Every Photographer Needs André Kertész
- Andy McIlvain
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Video from Photographic Inspiration
Why Every Photographer Needs André Kertész
"Whatever we have done, Kertész did first." — Henri Cartier-Bresson
In this installment of our Meet the Master series, we explore the profound legacy of André Kertész (1894 - 1985), the man who arguably invented the visual language of modern photography. From the quiet landscapes of Hungary to the avant-garde streets of Paris and his introspective exile in New York, Kertész’s work remains a masterclass in seeing not just with the eye, but with the heart.
This research-based essay delves into his most iconic works—including The Fork, The Circus, Chez Mondrian, Satiric Dancer, and his surreal Distortions series—to understand how he transformed mundane reality into timeless art.
In this documentary essay, we cover:
The Hungarian Roots: How his early amateur work laid the foundation for humanist photography.
The Paris Years: His role in the modernist movement and his influence on legends like Cartier-Bresson and Brassaï.
The New York Exile: Analyzing the "Lost Cloud" and his later, more melancholic work from his Washington Square apartment.
The Legacy: Why Kertész remains the primary influence for every street photographer today.
Written, curated, and created by the PIMAG editorial team.
Our mission is to provide deep, research-based insights into the history of photography, distinguishing timeless art from transient trends.
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Chapters:
00:00 -Prologue: A Poet of the Camera
01:32 -Early Life: The Hungarian Roots
03:53 -Modernist Eye: The Parisian Awakening
09:34 -Quiet Observer: The New York Exile
12:07 -Legacy: A Lasting Inspiration
© Estate of André Kertész
This video is created for educational or commentary purposes. All featured artwork and footage are fully credited to their respective copyright holders, adhering to fair use provisions under copyright law.
Additional footages from: Soixante Cinq ans de Photographie, André Kertész (1977)" from the video introduction
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