Andre Kertesz, a Hungarian-born photographer, was a pioneer in the field of photojournalism and photo essays. Despite being hailed as one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century, Kertesz felt that he never received the credit he deserved. He believed that a single photograph could convey emotions and tell a story better than words. His interest in photography began during his childhood in the countryside, where he observed the leisurely pace of life. Despite his uncle’s hopes for him to become a stockbroker, Kertesz followed his passion for photography and became a major figure in the field after immigrating to the United States.
Quick Facts
- Died At Age: 91
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Rosza Klein
- Father: Lipót Kertész
- Mother: Ernesztin Hoffmann
- Siblings: Jeno
- Hungarian Men
- Hungarian Photographers
- Died on: September 28, 1985
- Place of death: New York City, United States
- City: Budapest, Hungary
- More Facts:
- Awards: 1930 – silver medal
Childhood & Early Life
Andor Kertesz was born on July 2, 1894, in Budapest into a middle-class family. His father, Lipot Kertesz, was a bookseller, and his mother, Ernesztin Hoffman, was a homemaker. Andor had two brothers. In 1908, his father died of tuberculosis, leaving behind a grieving widow and three young children without any source of income. Fortunately, Andor’s mother’s brother provided for the family and took them to live with him. The young boy grew up on his uncle’s countryside property, where he realized his artistic abilities. His uncle paid for his education, and he graduated from the Academy of Commerce in 1912. Despite his family’s expectations for him to work at the stock exchange, Andor was more interested in photography, which he discovered through illustrated magazines.
Career
Andor’s uncle arranged for his employment at the Budapest Stock Exchange, where he started working as a clerk in 1912. However, he had no plans of continuing in the same profession. With the money he saved from his job, he bought his own camera and began photographing the local peasants, the Hungarian countryside, and the day-to-day life of the people. He took his first photograph, ‘Sleeping Boy,’ in 1912. In 1914, he left his job at the stock exchange to pursue photography as a career. However, when World War I started, he enlisted to serve in the Hungarian army. During his free time, he continued taking photographs and started selling them to magazines. His photographs were first published in the magazine ‘Érdekes Újság’ in 1917. After the war, he returned to his job at the stock exchange but eventually quit in the early 1920s due to boredom. He briefly ventured into agricultural work and beekeeping but was forced to return to his job at the stock exchange due to political instability in his country. Despite his desire to study photography in France, he did not go because of his mother’s disapproval. Instead, he pursued photography during his free time while retaining his position at the stock exchange. In 1925, one of his photographs was published on the cover of the Hungarian news magazine ‘Érdekes Újság,’ giving him widespread publicity. In September 1925, he emigrated to Paris, where he took on commissioned work for several European magazines. His photographs were printed in magazines all over Germany, France, Italy, and Great Britain. During this time, he changed his name from “Andor” to “Andre.” His move to Paris proved to be successful, as he earned critical and commercial success for his works. He held his first solo exhibition in 1927 and went on to feature in several others over the years.
Later Life & Legacy
In 1936, Andre Kertesz went to New York City on a one-year project with the Keystone Studios. However, with the advent of World War II, he decided to remain in New York. From 1939 to 1949, he worked as a freelancer for American magazines like ‘Look,’ ‘Harper’s Bazaar,’ and ‘Vogue.’ He became a US citizen in 1944. In 1949, he joined Conde Nast publications and worked on the visual character of the ‘House and Garden’ magazine. He retired from commercial work in 1962 but continued to click photographs and hold exhibitions. Throughout his career, he received several awards and achievements, including being made Commander of the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 1974 and receiving the first Annual Award of the Association of International Photography Art Dealers in New York in 1980. Andre Kertesz met Erzsebet Salomon, later known as Elizabeth Saly, in 1918 at the stock exchange where they both worked. They fell in love and married in 1933. They remained together until Elizabeth’s death in 1977. Andre Kertesz lived a long life and passed away in his sleep on September 28, 1985.