Brassaï (Hungarian/French, 1899–1984), born Gyula Halász, adopted his pseudonym from his hometown of Brasso, Transylvania, which later became part of Hungary.
Brassai studied painting and sculpture at academies in Budapest and Berlin before serving in the Austro-Hungarian army cavalry until the end of World War I.
Following his military service, Brassaï was drawn to Paris, where he had lived as a child while his father taught at the Sorbonne . Arriving in Paris in 1924, he settled in the Montparnasse neighborhood and began his career as a painter and journalist. During this period, he befriended notable artists such as Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró . In the early 1930s, Brassaï discovered his passion for photography, focusing on documenting the nocturnal life of Paris. His encounters with the city's diverse night-time inhabitants, including prostitutes and pleasure-seekers, were captured in his 1933 publication Paris de Nuit .
Brassaï's nighttime photographs, characterized by their grainy texture and raw quality, depicted the unique personalities and atmosphere of Paris after dark. He believed this style authentically represented the city's night life. His work received acclaim from prominent figures such as the British photographer Peter Henry Emerson . In 1935, he published another influential book, Voluptés de Paris, which solidified his international reputation .
During the German occupation in 1940, Brassaï relocated to southern France but returned to Paris to safeguard his hidden negatives. His dedication to his art earned him numerous accolades.
In 1956, he was awarded Most Original Film at the Cannes Film Festival and again in 1976 he received the Chevalier de l’Ordre de la Légion d’honneur. His photographs were also used as the backdrop for Jacques Prévert’s ballet, Le Rendez-vous. His influence has been noted by his inclusion in major collections including:
- Musuem of Modern Art
- Interntaional Center of Photography
- The Tate Museum
- Centre Pompidou
Brassaï passed away in 1984 and was interred in Montparnasse Cemetery in Paris. Since his death, his work has been honored with several large-scale retrospectives .
GALLERY M represents a select collection of Brassai's works. Contact us today to verify availability either by online request or toll free at 1.877.331.8401.
