Inauguration of a New Memorial Bench of André Kertész

A memorial bench was inaugurated in the garden of the Hungarian National Museum in Budapest on the occasion of the commemorative year of André Kertész who was born 130 years ago. The worldwide famous photographer who grew up in Budapest and emigrated to Paris at the age of 31 has captured many iconic photos on all kind of subjects.
 

His art is characterized by experimentation with lights and silhouettes. He took pictures as a soldier of military life during the First World War but many of his pictures capture the moments of rural life in Hungary. Leaving his clerical position in Budapest his heart’s greatest desire was fulfilled when he could start photographing the elite of the Parisian art world such as Picasso and Marc Chagall. 
 

In 1936 he moved into New York with his wife where he worked as a magazine photographer. At this stage of his life he began to lose faith in his own talents and career. His confidence was challenged because of the lack of creative media and photos made to order. In the early sixties he retired from magazine photography and exhibitions in Venice, Paris and New York where art professionals began to view his work from another aspect. This turning point was decisive in his life and motivated him to travel again and organize exhibitions in many parts of the world.
 

In 2021 the Hungarian State purchased 1163 photographs of André Kertész and the assessment of the condition of the collection was carried out in the Hungarian National Museum of Budapest. The special collection was presented to the public as part of a series of exhibitions in 2024 where visitors could have witnessed how did he get from amateur photography to a professional level.
 

After visiting the memorial bench of André Kertész we invite you to a spectacular temporary exhibition of the Hungarian National Museum called “Shine!” where anyone can connect easily with the essence of jewels. Get your ticket and brighten up the rest of your day!