André Kertész | The Polaroids

Exhibition Dates: November 17 – December 22      

The gallery is pleased to present its third exhibition of work by André Kertész since being asked to represent the Estate in 2003. We will be exhibiting a selection of Polaroid SX-70s that have never previously been available for sale.

Kertész and his wife, Elizabeth, immigrated to New York in October 1936 from Paris where he was the most celebrated photographer of his time. Although Elizabeth was soon to become successful with her cosmetics firm, Kertész’s photographic work was initially misunderstood by American editors and was, aside from certain individuals, essentially ignored by the photographic community. In the early 1960’s, Kertész retired from his job as a staff photographer for Condé Nast’s House and Garden Magazine, a position far below his artistic capabilities but had been his bread and butter for 15 years. He was then able to devote himself fully to his artistic photography and by the mid 1970’s had again arrived at the top of his profession.

His gratification in being able to substantially thank Elizabeth for her years of financial and emotional support was short-lived, for she died of cancer in 1977 after 18 months of suffering.

Having devoted himself to Elizabeth’s care, her death left Kertész a broken man, but the gift of a camera and film from Graham Nash and the Polaroid Corporation reawakened his artistic impulses. At the age of 84, using this small camera, he was able to work quickly and autonomously. The intimate size of the SX-70 resembled the small prints he had made during his early years, but as a mature artist these tiny frames played out more complex emotions and expanded his apartment into a new world of discovery.

This exhibition will coincide with the WW Norton publication of: André Kertész The Polaroids, by Robert Gurbo. Concurrent exhibitions are at Southeast Museum of Photography; Stephen Daiter Gallery, Chicago; and Bruce Silverstein Gallery, New York.