The Hungarian National Museum celebrated the 130th anniversary of world-famous photographer André Kertész with a series of exhibitions. To conclude the commemorative year, the museum dedicated a bench in the Museum Garden to honor his legacy, writes the National Museum in a recent press statement.
This bench, depicted in one of Kertész’s well-known photographs, now bears a plaque to commemorate the iconic Hungarian artist. The museum emphasized its dedication to preserving Kertész’s memory and his significant contributions to documentary photography.
During the dedication ceremony, Matthieu Berton, Director of the French Institute, spoke on World Emigrants’ Day, acknowledging Kertész’s life as an emigrant. Berton highlighted that Kertész arrived in Pars at the age of 31, and was instrumental in shaping his career.
His photographs of the French capital became iconic, reflecting his poetic vision and deep affection for the city.
Circus by André Kertész (1920). Photo: Wikipedia
Dr. Éva Fisli, a museologist, discovered that a Kertész photograph taken between 1912 and 1922, featured the Museum Garden. The image, including a Roman sarcophagus still standing in the early 1920s, represents a period when Kertész was transitioning from an amateur to a professional photographer.
The museum’s tribute underscores the timeless influence of Kertész’s work on Hungarian and global photographic arts.
André Kertesz photographed in 1982. Photo: Wikipedia
André Kertész (1894–1985) was a Hungarian-born photographer celebrated for his innovative contributions to documentary photography. Starting his career in Budapest, Kertész moved to Paris in 1925, where his emotive compositions and unique perspectives gained acclaim. Later relocating to the U.S., his works spanned six decades, blending poetic vision with modernist experimentation.
Via mnm.hu; Featured Image: Facebook / Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum