Martin Munkácsi Hungarian, 1896-1963

 

Beginning in the 1930s, the naturally innovative Munkácsi introduced the snapshot aesthetic which was to revolutionise photography forever. His ability to capture spontaneity with such an acute understanding of style, pattern, form and framing demonstrates his uniquely sophisticated visual sense and understanding of image making, which was to become so influential to so many subsequent photographers. Beauty gained a new level in Munkácsi's images. This can be clearly seen in his seminal fashion shoot for Harper’s Bazaar in 1933 with Lucile Brokaw running down the beach with her cape billowing behind her; the first image of the all-American beauty in action. It was a complete break from the staid and static images that emerged from studio shoots, and his approach was enhanced by his collaboration with the editor-in-chief Carmel Snow, and her other famous discovery, the graphic designer Alexey Brodovitch, who knew how to harness Munkácsi's ground-breaking images. Munkácsi knew not only the power of the image, but also the power of the commercial image.

 

 

 

 

Munkácsi's death was surrounded in poverty and controversy. Several universities and museums refused to accept his archives, and asa result they were scattered all around the world.